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Patrick Henry
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Great Quotes By: PATRICK HENRY |
A written statement on the back of Henry's Stamp Act
Resolves:
This [the Stamp Act] brought on the war which finally separated the
two countries and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove
a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use or people make of
the blessings, which a gracious God hath bestowed on us.
If they are wise,
they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character,
they will be miserable.
Righteousness alone
can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art,
remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself,
and encourage it in others. |
Speech of March 23, 1775:
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the
God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people,
armed in the Holy cause of Liberty, and in such a country as that
which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can
send against us.
Besides, sir, we
shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to
fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong
alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.…
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! |
Debate at Virginia’s Convention to Ratify the Constitution:
Guard with jealous attention the public
liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. |
Letter to his daughter, Betsy, 20
August 1796:
Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it is said by the
deists that I am one of the number; and indeed, that some good
people think I am no Christian. This thought gives me much more pain
than the appellation of Tory; because I think religion of infinitely
higher importance than politics; and I find much cause to reproach
myself that I have lived so long, and have given no decided and
public proofs of my being a Christian. But, indeed, my dear child,
this is a character which I prize far above all this world has, or
can boast. |
Patrick Henry's Will:
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. |
Selected by Dr. Alan Snyder 
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