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. Patrick Henry More Quotes by Patrick Henry More Quotes From Patrick Henry We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Patrick Henry strong brave mean Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defence Where is the difference between having our arms in our own possession and under our own direction, and having them under the management of Congress If our defence be therealobject of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands Patrick Henry 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. Patrick Henry I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. Patrick Henry Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or 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 It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truthand listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. Patrick Henry This is all the Inheritance I can give to my dear Family. The Religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed. Patrick Henry I know of no way to judge the future but by the past. Patrick Henry It is natural for a man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut out eyes against a painful truth and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms into beasts. Patrick Henry Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings give us that precious jewel, and you may take every thing else! Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Patrick Henry The great object is, that every man be armed. ... Every one who is able may have a gun. Patrick Henry There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peacebut there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 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 Unite liberality with a just frugality; always reserve something for the hand of charity; and never let your door be closed to the voice of suffering humanity. Patrick Henry door voice suffering humanity It is natural to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes to that siren until she allures us to our death. Patrick Henry she eyes hope death Do you remember any instance where tyranny was destroyed and freedom established on its ruins, among a people possessing so small a share of virtue and public spirit? I recollect none, and this more than the British arms makes me fearful of final success, without a reform. Patrick Henry me you freedom success We are descended from a people whose government was founded on liberty; our glorious forefathers of Great Britain made liberty the foundation of everything. That country is become a great, mighty, and splendid nation; not because their government is strong and energetic, but, sir, because liberty is its direct end and foundation. Patrick Henry great government strong people Shall we, who have laid the proud British lion at our feet, now be afraid of his whelps? Patrick Henry lion now proud feet It is a debt we owe to the purity of our religion to show that it is at variance with that law which warrants slavery. Patrick Henry debt slavery law religion Would any one believe that I am master of slaves by my own purchase? I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living without them. Patrick Henry i-am own my-own believe I have had many anxieties for our commonwealth, principally occasioned by the depreciation of our money. Patrick Henry had our many money
