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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

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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
Hope
Enemies
Phantom
Means
Bounds
Phantoms
Hands
Revolution
Backs
Mean
Feet
Hug
Shall
Foot
Enemy
Bound
Delusive
Hand
Acquire
Hugging
Lying
Resistance
Effectual

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The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.
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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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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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[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.
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Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third — ['Treason!' cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
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....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.
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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.
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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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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?
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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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I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
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I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.
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It is the business of a virtuous clergyman to censure vice in every appearance of it.
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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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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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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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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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This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.
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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 should transmit to posterity our abhorrence of slavery.
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