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 HENRYWhen the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
More Patrick Henry Quotes
-
-
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
PATRICK HENRY -
Give me liberty or give me death.
PATRICK HENRY -
It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
PATRICK HENRY -
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
I am not a Virginian, but an American.
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
PATRICK HENRY -
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
I smell a rat.
PATRICK HENRY -
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
PATRICK HENRY