First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country

by Thomas E. Ricks

In March 1775, Patrick Henry rose to speak in Richmond. He concluded by shouting “Give me liberty—or give me death.” To ensure his audience grasped the allusion to Cato, he thrust an ivory letter opener toward his chest, in imitation of a scene in Addison’s play.