Patrick Henry quotes

Patrick Henry was an American attorney, orator, and statesman, famous for his declaration "Give me liberty, or give me death!" His passionate speeches inspired the American colonies to strive for independence from British rule. He became a leading figure in the American Revolution and an influential Founding Father. Here are 85 of his quotes:

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

Patrick Henry

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

Patrick Henry

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Patrick Henry

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

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

Patrick Henry

The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.

Patrick Henry

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

Patrick Henry

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

Caesar had his Brutus; Charles the First, his Cromwelland George the Third (Treason, cried the Speaker) ... may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.

Patrick Henry

The great object is that every man be armed.

Patrick Henry

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

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

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

Patrick Henry

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

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

Are we at last brought to such an humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?

Patrick Henry

There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending-if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained-we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

Patrick Henry

United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.

Patrick Henry

Fear is the passion of slaves.

Patrick Henry

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

Patrick Henry

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

Patrick Henry

I am not a Virginian, but an American.

Patrick Henry