Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Quotes

“Give me liberty or give me death."

[From a speech given at Saint John's Church in Richmond, Virginia on March 23, 1775 to the Virginia House of Burgesses; as first published in print in 1817 in William Wirt's Life and Character of Patrick Henry.]”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“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.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“Why stay 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!”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort.”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

“Why stay 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!”
― Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death