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 HENRYThe 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
More Patrick Henry Quotes
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Patrick Henry wanted the Constitution to have a Bill of Rights attached to it — a list of powers that the government could never use against the people of the United States.
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The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
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Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.
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Congress may carry on the most wicked and pernicious of schemes under the dark veil of secrecy. The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
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Fear is the passion of slaves.
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Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing.
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The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.
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The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!
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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.
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Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
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Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
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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.
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I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
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It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
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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