Patrick Henry Quotes

I know, sir, how well it becomes a liberal man and a Christian to forget and forgive. As individuals professing a holy religion, it is our bounden duty to forgive injuries done us as individuals. But when the character of Christian you add the character of patriot, you are in a different situation. Our mild and holy system of religion inculcates an admirable maxim of forbearance. If your enemy smite one cheek, turn the other to him. But you must stop there. You cannot apply this to your country. As members of a social community, this maxim does not apply to you. When you consider injuries done to your country your political duty tells you of vengeance. Forgive as a private man, but never forgive public injuries. Observations of this nature are exceedingly unpleasant, but it is my duty to use them. Patrick Henry, Wirt Henry's, Life, vol. III, pp. 606-607. ~ Patrick Henry quote

Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it is said by the deists that I am one of their number; and, indeed, that some good people think I am no Christian. This thought gives me much more pain than the appellation of Tory; because I think religion of infinitely higher importance than politics; and I find much cause to reproach myself that I have lived so long and have given no decided and public proofs of my being a Christian. But, indeed, my dear child, this is a character which I prize far above all this world has, or can boast.  Patrick Henry, S. G. Arnold, The Life of Patrick Henry (Auburn: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1854), p. 250. ~ Patrick Henry quote

It is stated, in an article which I saw some time ago, from the Protestant Episcopalian, and, I presume, from one of you, that Patrick Henry was once an infidel, &c. His widow and some of his descendants are residing in this county, and I am authorized by one of them to say that the anecdote related is not true. He ever had, I am informed, a very abhorrence of infidelity, and actually wrote an answer to Paine's Age of Reason, but destroyed it before his death. His widow informed me that he received the Communion as often as an opportunity was offered, and on such occasions always fasted until after he had communicated, and spent the day in the greatest retirement. This he did both while Governor and afterward. Had he lived a few years longer, he would have probably done much to check the immoral influence of one of his compatriots [?], whose works are now diffusing the poison of infidelity throughout our land. Bishop Meade, Old Churches, Vol. II, p. 12. ~ Patrick Henry quote

This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed."  The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry ~ Patrick Henry quote

"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, 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." [Patrick Henry, May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses] Liberals apply a double standard, claiming that this quote is unconfirmed.  ~ Patrick Henry quote

"This book [holding up the Bible] is worth all the books that ever were printed, and it has been my misfortune that I have never found time to read it with the proper attention and feeling till lately. I trust in the mercy of Heaven that it is not yet too late."  Patrick Henry as related by a neighbor to William Wirt Henry, Wirt Henry's, Life, vol. II, p. 621. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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. ~ Patrick Henry quote

It can not 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! ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts... For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

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

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 quote

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 quote

Religion I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give to them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one cent, they would be rich. If they have not that, and I had given them the world, they would be poor. ~ Patrick Henry quote

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed. ~ Patrick Henry quote

Fear is the passion of slaves. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

Give me liberty or give me death. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. ~ Patrick Henry quote

I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. ~ Patrick Henry quote

I know no way of judging the future but by the past. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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

I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. ~ Patrick Henry quote

I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past. ~ Patrick Henry quote

If this be treason, make the most of it! ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship. ~ Patrick Henry quote

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed. ~ Patrick Henry quote

The great object is that every man be armed. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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 quote

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 quote

We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. ~ Patrick Henry quote

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

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. - Speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, May, 1765 ~ Patrick Henry quote

This brought on the war which finally separated the two countries and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove a blessing or a cuse, will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings, which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. ~ Patrick Henry quote

If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable.
 ~ Patrick Henry quote

Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. - Written on the back of The Stamp Act Resolves, May, 1765 ~ Patrick Henry quote

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. - Speech on the Stamp Act in the Virginia House of Burgesses, May 29, 1765 ~ Patrick Henry quote

I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we do is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot and an abhorrence of slavery. - Letter to Robert Pleasants, January 18, 1773 ~ Patrick Henry quote

I am not a Virginian, but an American. - Speech in the First Continental Congress, September 6, 1774 ~ Patrick Henry quote

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. - Speech in the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775 ~ Patrick Henry quote

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past. - Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church, Redmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775 ~ Patrick Henry quote

It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth - and listen to the song of that siren, 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. - Speech in the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775 ~ Patrick Henry quote

 

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