The first thing I have at heart is American liberty; the second thing is American union.
God made me blind and unable to walk. Big deal!
Implements of war and subjugation are the last arguments to which kings resort.
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
Hospitality invites to prayer before it checks credentials, welcomes to the table before administering the entrance exam.
This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! – but there is no peace.
My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against tyrants.
Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure.
My most cherished possession I wish I could leave you is my faith in Jesus Christ, for with Him and nothing else you can be happy, but without Him and with all else you’ll never be happy.
He that hath a blind conscience which sees nothing, a dead conscience which feels nothing, and a dumb conscience which says nothing, is in as miserable a condition as a man can be on this side of hell.
I’m sick of all you ammo-phobes being intolerant of my gun.
What right do they have to say “we the people” rather than we the States?
The people have a right to keep and bear arms.
Have we the means of resisting disciplined armies, when our only defence, the militia, is put in the hands of Congress?
We have not yet begun to fight.
Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.
The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!
No realistic American can expect from a dictator’s peace international generosity, or return of true independence, or world disarmament, or freedom of expression, or freedom of religion – or even good business. Such a peace would bring no security for us or for our neighbors. Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian Religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling they would have been rich; and if they had not that and I had given them all the world, they would be poor.
Let us trust God and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.