Quotessence
Home / Authors / Patrick Henry Biography
Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry Biography

Governor of Virginia

Related Quotes

“I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these 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 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 subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort.”

WarBetrayalTyrannyRevolutionary War
Book:Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Create image

“I have the highest veneration of those Gentleman, -- but, Sir, give me leave to demand, what right had they to say, We, the People? My political curiosity, exclusive of my anxious solicitude for the public welfare, leads me to ask who authorized them to speak the language of, We, the People, instead of We, the States? States are the characteristics, and the soul of the confederation. If the States be not the agents of this compact, it must be one of great consolidated National Government of the people of all the States.”

PeopleIfsGivingSoulStatesGovernmentPoliticalAsksSpeakLanguageDemandHighestConstitutionGive MeCuriosityAgentsWelfareGentlemanCharacteristicsAnxiousSovereigntyExclusiveLeading MeCompactVenerationSolicitudeConfederationPublic Welfare
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image

“First, the constitution ought to secure a genuine and guard against a select militia, by providing that the militia shall always be kept well organized, armed, and disciplined, and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms; and that all regulations tending to render this general militia useless and defenceless, by establishing select corps of militia, or distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments in the community to be avoided.”

MenFirstsWellsStatesBodyPastInterestCommunityMilitaryArmsOughtCapableConstitutionGenuineSecureUselessPermanentOrganizedAttachmentRegulationProvidingAvoidedSelectUsageMilitiaBearing ArmsDefenselessMilitary Man
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image

“Are we at last brought to such an humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?”

LastsArmsGunDefenseAmendmentsTrustedGun ControlFreedom And LibertyDegradationSecond AmendmentFreedom LibertyAggravationFirearmsHumiliatingRight To Bear ArmsMilitiaBearing ArmsGun RightsFounding Fathers GunHandguns2 AmendmentFounding Fathers Second AmendmentAmerican PatriotAmendment 1Amendment 19Guns In AmericaHandgun Ban
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image

“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!”

KnowsGivingMayWarAmericaDeathCoursesFreedomBusinessLibertyHistorySocietySweetRevolutionEthicsGive MeSlaveryDearLibertarianChainsPatriotismPatrioticAmendmentsLibertarianismAlmightyPatriotFounding4th Of JulyFreedom And LibertyFreedom LibertyOur Founding FathersProperty RightsAmerican RevolutionLimited GovernmentTotal WarFounding Fathers ChristianPriceAlmighty GodBearing ArmsFounding Fathers ReligionIndividual LibertyAmerican GovernmentLimiting GovernmentRights And FreedomsAmerican Founding FathersAmerican PatrioticLimited FreedomGreat PatrioticUs ConstitutionAmerican PatriotismAmerican LibertyFounding Fathers DemocracyAmerica FreedomPatriotism In AmericaPrice Of FreedomRevolution Founding FathersGood PatrioticLimiting FreedomConstitutional LawConstitutional GovernmentGod And CountryTyranny Founding FathersSecurity And FreedomAmerican Independence DayInspiring PatrioticSecurity And Liberty
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image

“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.”

GivingPoliticsForceAttentionLibertyArmsCitizensGiving UpApproachGunPreservesPatriotismSuspectsJealousAmendmentsGun ControlRuinedFoundingJewels4th Of JulyFreedom And LibertyIntriguingSecond AmendmentFreedom LibertyProperty RightsFirearmsRight To Bear ArmsBearing ArmsIndividual LibertyGun RightsRights And FreedomsPro GunFounding Fathers GunIndividual Freedom2 AmendmentFounding Fathers Second AmendmentFramersPublic TrustPrice Of FreedomAnti GunAmendment 1Tyranny Founding FathersStrong ArmsAmending The ConstitutionAmendment 19Amendment 4Security And FreedomAmendment 13Guards Up
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image

“The great object is that every man be armed.”

MenFatherObjectsArmsBearsGunLibertarianEvery ManFakeAmendmentsGun ControlFoundingFreedom And LibertySecond AmendmentFreedom LibertyOur Founding FathersFirearmsUs Founding FathersRight To Bear ArmsMilitiaBearing ArmsGun RightsFederalistPro GunFounding Fathers Gun2 AmendmentFounding Fathers Second AmendmentGreat LibertarianRevolution Founding FathersAnti GunAmendment 1Tyranny Founding FathersAmendment 19Amendment 4Patriotic GunArmed CitizensPolice ProtectionArmed Robbery
Book:Patrick Henry in his speeches and writings and in the words of his contemporaries
Create image

“Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people will make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this: and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, an encourage it in others.”

PeopleIfsArtCharacterUseRememberNationsPracticeVirtueWiseDependsReaderBlessingProveContraryMiserableCurseRighteousnessSpheresThyselfGracious
Author:Patrick Henry
Create image