Patrick Henry (1736-1799)

Quotes

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

• I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know way of judging the future but by the past.

• 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.

• 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!

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

• Give me liberty, or give me death.

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

• I know not what course others make take, but as for me: give me Liberty, or give me death.

• It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.

• Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

• Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel.

• The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

• 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.

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

• 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!

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

• Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.