Patrick Henry--A Patriot for All Times

Patrick Henry is most known for his proclamation, 'Give me liberty or give me death!' But his speech, delivered to the Virgina Convention of Delegates 3 weeks before the first shots of the Revolutionary War, is full of other tidbits of wisdom that transcend time.

~"...it is natural of man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth...Are we disposed to be of the number who having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern our temporal salvation?...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."

~"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 the future but by the past. And judging by the past, 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?"

~"They tell us, sir, that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger?....Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies have bound us hand and foot?"

~"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."

~"Gentlemen may cry 'peace, peace', but there is no peace--the war is already begun!...What is it 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!"