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Patrick Henry1736–1799

Patrick Henry on liberty

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Speech to the Second Virginia Convention, St. John’s Church, Richmond (23 March 1775), as given in William Wirt, Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry (1817). Nothing was written down at the time: Wirt rebuilt the speech from listeners’ recollections four decades later, so how much of the wording is Henry’s is disputed

More from Patrick Henry

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death (1775)
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel.
Speech on the Federal Constitution, Virginia Ratifying Convention (5 June 1788)
- Liberty
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
Speech on the Federal Constitution, Virginia Ratifying Convention (Monday, 9 June 1788), as contained in The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: Volume 3, ed. Jonathan Elliot, published by the editor
- Government

All 10 quotes from Patrick Henry

More about liberty

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to William Stephens Smith (13 November 1787). Manuscript at the Library of Congress.
- War & Peace
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin1706–1790This was first used by Franklin for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its “Reply to the Governor” (November 11, 1755) Reply to the Governor
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin1706–1790

All 136 quotes about liberty