Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
PATRICK HENRYMr. 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.
More Patrick Henry Quotes
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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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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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Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
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I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
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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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The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
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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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Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
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United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.
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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
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I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
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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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I smell a rat.
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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!
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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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I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
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Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.
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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.
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The great object is that every man be armed.
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The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!
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It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
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I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
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I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
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It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
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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.
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For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.
PATRICK HENRY