Quote

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

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
Mean
Defending
Great
Tyrants
Leave
Rights
War
Means
Waging
Doe
Objection
Government
Objections

More quotes by Patrick Henry

Image
....I am sure that the dangers of this system (the Federal Constitution) are real, when those who have no similar interest with the people of this country (the South) are to legislate for us - when our dearest rights are to be left, in the hands of those, whose advantage it will be to infringe them.
Patrick Henry
Image
Give me liberty or give me death.
Patrick Henry
Image
It is the business of a virtuous clergyman to censure vice in every appearance of it.
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
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
The King has degenerated into a tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.
Patrick Henry
Image
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
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
We have not yet begun to fight.
Patrick Henry
Image
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
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
Image
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
Image
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
Image
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
Patrick Henry
Image
I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.
Patrick Henry
Image
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?
Patrick Henry
Image
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.
Patrick Henry
Image
The whole economy of this lower world proves that it is by labor and perseverance only that good is obtained and evil is avoided.
Patrick Henry