Quote

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.

Patrick Henry

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Patrick Henry
Age: 63 †
Born: 1736
Born: May 29
Died: 1799
Died: June 6
Governor Of Virginia
Lawyer
Politician
Slaveholder
Hanover County
Virginia
Henry
Within
Proper
Approaches
Attention
Bounds
Jewels
Every
Object
Stays
Long
Approach
Suspect
Good
Objects
Suspects
Virtue
Guard
Liberty
Suspicion
Public
Jealous
Jewel

More quotes by Patrick Henry

Image
Have we the means of resisting disciplined armies, when our only defence, the militia, is put in the hands of Congress?
Patrick Henry
Image
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
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
We should transmit to posterity our abhorrence of slavery.
Patrick Henry
Image
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! – but there is no peace.
Patrick Henry
Image
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
Patrick Henry
Image
[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.
Patrick Henry
Image
. . . 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.
Patrick Henry
Image
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
Image
Give me liberty or give me death.
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
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?
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.
Patrick Henry
Image
Away with your president! We shall have a king... the army will salute him as monarch your militia will leave you and assist in making him king and fight against you. And what have you to oppose this force? What will then become of you and your rights?
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.
Patrick Henry
Image
My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against tyrants.
Patrick Henry
Image
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?
Patrick Henry
Image
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
Patrick Henry