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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

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Patrick Henry
Age: 63 †
Born: 1736
Born: May 29
Died: 1799
Died: June 6
Governor Of Virginia
Lawyer
Politician
Slaveholder
Hanover County
Virginia
Henry
Government
Concealed
May
Rulers
Ever
Secure
Never
Information
Concealment
People
Liberty
Transactions
Politics
Transparency
Freedom
Liberties
Political
Secrecy

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[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.
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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.
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. . . Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed . . . so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger.
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Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure
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I shall act as I think my duty requires.
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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!
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The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery
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Being a Christian... is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.
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Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
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When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
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The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.
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The King has degenerated into a tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.
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It is natural to man to indulge in the illusion of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, till she transforms us into beasts.
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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.
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Have we the means of resisting disciplined armies, when our only defence, the militia, is put in the hands of Congress?
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Were my soul trembling on the wing of eternity, were this hand freezing to death, were my voice choking with the last struggle, I would still, with the last gasp of that voice, implore you to remember the truth: God has given America to be free.
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Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! – but there is no peace.
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He that hath a blind conscience which sees nothing, a dead conscience which feels nothing, and a dumb conscience which says nothing, is in as miserable a condition as a man can be on this side of hell.
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Fear is the passion of slaves.
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I am not a Virginian, I am an American.
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