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

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
Spirit
Primaries
America
Primary
Different
Object
Objects
Youth
Liberty
American
Language

More quotes by Patrick Henry

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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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Righteousness alone can exalt them [America] as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself and encourage it in others.
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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.
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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.
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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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The King has degenerated into a tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.
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Fear is the passion of slaves.
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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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I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
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Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure
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Human nature will never part with power. Look for an example of a voluntary relinquishment of power from one end of the globe to another - you will find none.
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Give me liberty or give me death.
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[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.
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I am not a Virginian, I am an American.
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This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.
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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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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?
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We have not yet begun to fight.
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Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.
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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
Patrick Henry