Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henrywas an American attorney, planter and politician who became known as an orator during the movement for independence in Virginia. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to 1786...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth29 May 1736
CityHanover County, VA
CountryUnited States of America
believe opportunity evil
I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
history may brutus
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.
gun next-week years
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?
vices appearance clergy
It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
love kings war
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.
death military giving
Give me liberty or give me death.
blessing jewels giving
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings - give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
should-have punishment tyrants
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; and you have no longer an aristocratical, no longer a democratical spirit. Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all?
fear 4th-of-july passion
Fear is the passion of slaves.
conservative treason stamp-act
If this be treason, make the most of it!
gun aggravation second-amendment
Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?
inspirational courage veterans-day
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
life sweet peace
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!
kings rights tyrants
The King has degenerated into a tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.