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Patrick Henry

(1736-1799) US Founding Father; a leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies

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Give me liberty, or give me death!

– Patrick Henry

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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 inevitably ruined.

– Patrick Henry

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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

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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 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

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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.

– Patrick Henry

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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

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

– Patrick Henry

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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

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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

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The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.

– Patrick Henry

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I know of no way to judge the future but by the past.

– Patrick Henry

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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 provide for it.

– Patrick Henry

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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

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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

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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

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Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of freemen. 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

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Distinctions between Virginians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders, are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.

– Patrick Henry

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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!

– Patrick Henry

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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

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Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.

– Patrick Henry

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Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugationthe last arguments to which kings resort.

– Patrick Henry

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The great object is, that every man be armed. ... Every one who is able may have a gun.

– Patrick Henry

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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

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Quotes from the news wire:

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

Found on FOX News 6 years ago

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