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!
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
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.
The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
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?
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
A King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.
The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
If this be treason, make the most of it!
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
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.
When the American Spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; Liberty, sir, was then the primary object.
It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
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
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings - give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole turuth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.
Fear is the passion of slaves.
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
I am not a Virginian, but an American.
Give me liberty or give me death
Suspicion is a virtue as long its object is the preservation of public good
