The officers of Congress, may come upon you now, fortified with all the terrors of paramount federal authority. Excisemen taxmen may come in multitudes; for the limitation of their numbers no man knows. They may, unless the general government be restrained ... go into your cellars and rooms, and search, ransack, and measure, everything you eat, drink, and wear.

Patrick Henry

Categorized in : Men Numbers Taxation

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

4th-of-july fake-people freedom

Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.

Patrick Henry

4th-of-july freedom blessing

United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.

Patrick Henry

splits unions fall

Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object 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

differences gun real

It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains.

Patrick Henry

tyrants rights people

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, “Peace! Peace!” — but 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

sweet peace life

Power is the great evil with which we are contending. We have divided power between three branches of government and erected checks and balances to prevent abuse of power. However, where is the check on the power of the judiciary? If we fail to check the power of the judiciary, I predict that we will eventually live under judicial tyranny.

Patrick Henry

abuse government evil

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 inevitably ruined.

Patrick Henry

jealous 4th-of-july giving-up

I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death.

Patrick Henry

inspirational giving death

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

Patrick Henry

liberty different america

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 giving religion

Being a Christian... is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.

Patrick Henry

christian character world

I shall act as I think my duty requires.

Patrick Henry

duty war thinking

I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.

Patrick Henry

evil opportunity believe

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

Patrick Henry

veterans-day courage inspirational

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.

Patrick Henry

christian god bible

This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.

Patrick Henry

gun dying house

I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.

Patrick Henry

future judging past

The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.

Patrick Henry

morality differences doe

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

freedom sweet death