Quotes by Patrick Henry

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. If they had that, and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor.

— Patrick Henry

Life

I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.

— Patrick Henry

Hope

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

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!

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

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

Wisdom

Give me liberty or give me death.

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

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

Courage

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death.

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

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

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

Fear is the passion of slaves.

— Patrick Henry

Courage

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

Truth

The great object is that every man be armed.

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.

— Patrick Henry

Freedom

This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

If this be treason, make the most of it!

— Patrick Henry

Wisdom

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

Wisdom

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.

— Patrick Henry

Hope