I am not a Virginian, I am an American. Patrick Henry More Quotes by Patrick Henry More Quotes From Patrick Henry 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 boston strong war If this be treason, make the most of it! Patrick Henry stamp-act treason conservative O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone; and you have no longer an aristocratical, no longer a democratical spirit. Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all? Patrick Henry punishment tyrants should-have Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship. Patrick Henry healthy freedom perfect My political curiosity, exclusive of my anxious solicitude for the public welfare, leads me to ask who authorized them (the framers of the Constitution) to speak the language of 'We, the People,' instead of 'We, the States'? Patrick Henry political curiosity people Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings - give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else! Patrick Henry jewels blessing giving They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Patrick Henry gun next-week years 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 jealous jewels long For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it. Patrick Henry honesty truth integrity It is the business of a virtuous clergyman to censure vice in every appearance of it. Patrick Henry clergy vices appearance You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your government. Patrick Henry government powerful people Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Patrick Henry religious kings country The American Revolution was the grand operation, which seemed to be assigned by the Deity to the men of this age in our country, over and above the common duties of life Patrick Henry age men country Were my soul trembling on the wing of eternity, were this hand freezing to death, were my voice choking with the last struggle, I would still, with the last gasp of that voice, implore you to remember the truth: God has given America to be free. Patrick Henry struggle wings hands We have not yet begun to fight. Patrick Henry fighting inspirational sports 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 destiny 4th-of-july fighting If you have given up your militia, and Congress shall refuse to arm them, you have lost every thing. Your existence will be precarious, because you depend on others, whose interests are not affected by your infelicity. Patrick Henry arms given lost My most cherished possession I wish I could leave you is my faith in Jesus Christ, for with Him and nothing else you can be happy, but without Him and with all else you'll never be happy. Patrick Henry wish jesus christ Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it is said by the deists that I am one of the number; and indeed, that some good people think I am no Christian. This thought gives me much more pain than the appellation of Tory; because I think religion of infinitely higher importance than politics; and I find much cause to reproach myself that I have lived so long, and have given no decided and public proofs of my being a Christian. But, indeed, my dear child, this is a character which I prize far above all this world has, or can boast. Patrick Henry pain christian children You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever. Patrick Henry jealous rights forever
