These Patrick Henry Quotations are from his own letters and speeches. Henry was
one of the great orators of the Revolutionary War. Learn from him by reading his
own words. These Patrick Henry Quotations are listed chronologically with links
to more at the bottom.
"That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of
discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force
or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of
religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty
of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other." -
Article 16, Draft of the First Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Virginia (Henry was a member of the drafting committee), June 12, 1775
"If you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington is,
unquestionably the greatest man on that floor." - Comment on George Washington, October, 1775
"O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only
sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves,
are gone; and you have no longer an aristocratical, no longer a democratical spirit.
Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of
those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all?" - Speech in the
Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778
"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 ruined... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone
who is able might have a gun." - Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June
5, 1778
"It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, peace! But there
is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will
bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field!
Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 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!" - Speech at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church,
Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1779
"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 precious jewel." - Speech on the Federal
Constitution, June 5, 1788
"Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessary
for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security
of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings - give us that
precious jewel, and you may take every things else! Guard with jealous attention
the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel." - Speech in
the Virginia Convention, June 5, 1788
"Eloquence has been defined to be the art of persuasion. If it included persuasion
by convincing, Mr. Madison was the most eloquent man I ever heard." - Referring
to James Madison, November 12, 1790
"The view which the rising greatness of our country presents to my eye is greatly
tarnished by the general prevalence of deism which with me, is but another name for
vice and depravity. I am, however, much consoled by reflecting, that the religion
of Christ has, from its first appearance in the world, been attacked in vain by all
the wits, philosophers, and wise ones aided by every power of man, and its triumph
has been complete. What is there in the wit or wisdom of the present deistical writers
or professors, that can compare them with Hume, Shaftsbury, Bolingbroke, and others?
And yet these have been confuted, and their fame decaying: insomuch that the puny
efforts of Paine are thrown in to prop their tottering fabric, whose foundations
cannot stand the test of time. Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it
is said by the deists that I am one of their 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 proofs of my being a Christian. But indeed, my
dear child, this is a character I prize far above all this world has or can
boast." - Letter to Betsy Aylett, his daughter, August 20, 1796
"This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ
can give them one which will make them rich indeed." - Last Will and Testament,
November 20, 1798
"United we stand, divided we fall, Let us not split into factions which must
destroy that union upon which our existence hangs." - Last Public Speech
Before His Death, March 4, 1799
"But, as to France, I have no doubt in saying, that to her it will be calamitous.
Her conduct has made it the interest of the great family of mankind to wish the
downfall of her present government: because its existence is incompatible with
that of all others within its reach. And, whilst I see the dangers that threaten
ours from her intrigues and her arms, I am not so much alarmed as at the
apprehension of her destroying the great pillars of all government and of social
life: I mean virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and
this alone, that renders us invincible." - Letter to Archibald Blair, January
8, 1799
"Doctor, I wish you to observe how real and beneficial the religion of Christ
is to a man about to die... I am, however, much consoled by reflecting that
the religion of Christ has, from its first appearance in the world, been
attacked in vain by all the wits, philosophers, and wise ones, aided by
every power of man, and its triumphs have been complete." - On his
deathbed, June, 1799
St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA was the church where Patrick Henry
was a member. The church hosted the delegates of the Provincial Virginia
Assembly and was the location of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give
Me Death" speech. It is still an active church today. Go to the church's website here for historical and current
information.
Red Hill is the last home of Patrick Henry. You can visit the historic site
today and see his last law office, a replica of his home and lots of Patrick
Henry memorabilia. Go to
the Red Hill website here.
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