PATRICK HENRY

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The great object is that every man be armed.

Fear is the passion of slaves.

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

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.

Give me liberty or give me death.

If this be treason, make the most of it!

I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.

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

To cover with the veil of secrecy the common routine of business is an abomination in the eyes of every intelligent man and every friend to his country.

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

It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth …I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Different men often see the same subject in different lights

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

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.

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

Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men without a consequent loss of liberty! I say that the loss of that dearest privilege has ever followed, with absolute certainty, every such mad attempt. Shall Liberty or Empire be Sought?

I am no longer a Virginian. I am an American.