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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.

Patrick Henry

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

Experience Myself
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
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
Give me liberty or give me death.
PATRICK HENRY

Death Freedom Liberty Myself One Liner
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
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
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!
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Brave Desire Enough Prison Slave Strong War
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
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.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Force Liberty Man Ruin Weapon Yourself
It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
PATRICK HENRY

Forget God People Prison
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
PATRICK HENRY

Future Judgement Myself Past
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

Democracy Government Live People
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
It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
PATRICK HENRY

Appearance Business Vice
Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Destiny Enemy Fight Force Friendship God Liberty People
The great object is that every man be armed.
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
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
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
I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
PATRICK HENRY

Believe Evil Myself Opportunity Time
Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third — [‘Treason!’ cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
PATRICK HENRY

Death Literature
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Fight
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
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
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

Myself Spirit Truth Willing Worst
If this be treason, make the most of it!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Funny
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY

Different Language Liberty Spirit Youth

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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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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Popular Authors

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