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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

Patrick Henry

Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
PATRICK HENRY

Last Protection Trust
it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
PATRICK HENRY

Hope Illusion Listen Man Nature Ourselves Pain Transformation Truth
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Brave Strong
Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
PATRICK HENRY

Act Death Fear Guilty Heaven Loyalty Myself Opinion Time
The great object is that every man be armed.
PATRICK HENRY

Greatness Man Weapon
Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.
PATRICK HENRY

Bad Citizenship Freedom Goodness Man
A King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects’ obedience.
PATRICK HENRY

Act Father Nature People Right Rule
We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or other officials, only men that know the law of the realm and are minded to keep it well.
PATRICK HENRY

Justice Law Man Mindset
Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Goodness Jealous Liberty Public Virtue
I am not a Virginian, but an American.
PATRICK HENRY

Identity Myself Nation
The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery
PATRICK HENRY

Freedom Home Moments Myself Slave
It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
PATRICK HENRY

Appearance Business Vice
Gentlemen may cry peace, peace- but there is no peace! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why should we idle here?…I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Liberty Ourselves Peace
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Choice Death Liberty Myself
Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
PATRICK HENRY

Force Preserve Ruin Will
When the American Spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; Liberty, sir, was then the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY

Different Language Liberty Spirit Youth
It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
PATRICK HENRY

Forget God People Prison
If this be treason, make the most of it!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Funny
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
PATRICK HENRY

Eyes Hope Illusion Listen Man Nature Ourselves Pain Song Transformation Truth
This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.
PATRICK HENRY

Family Myself Religion Rich
I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian Religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling they would have been rich; and if they had not that and I had given them all the world, they would be poor.
PATRICK HENRY

Family Material Myself Poor Religion Rich World
Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men, without a consequent loss of liberty?
PATRICK HENRY

Goodness History Liberty Loss Man People Place Right
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
PATRICK HENRY

Liberty People Rule Secure
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
PATRICK HENRY

Greatness Man Weapon
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Important Liberty
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
PATRICK HENRY

Experience Myself
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Death God Liberty Life Peace Price Slave

I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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