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Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
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5 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1775
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About the author
Patrick Henry
161 books60 followersPatrick Henry was an American attorney, planter and politician who became known as an orator during the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia, from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to 1786.
Henry led the opposition to the Stamp Act 1765 and is remembered for his "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he is regarded as one of the most influential champions of Republicanism and an invested promoter of the American Revolution and its fight for independence.
After the Revolution, Henry was a leader of the anti-federalists in Virginia. He opposed the United States Constitution, fearing that it endangered the rights of the States as well as the freedoms of individuals; he helped gain adoption of the Bill of Rights. By 1798 however, he supported President John Adams and the Federalists; he denounced passage of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions as he feared the social unrest and widespread executions that had followed the increasing radicalism of the French Revolution.
Henry led the opposition to the Stamp Act 1765 and is remembered for his "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he is regarded as one of the most influential champions of Republicanism and an invested promoter of the American Revolution and its fight for independence.
After the Revolution, Henry was a leader of the anti-federalists in Virginia. He opposed the United States Constitution, fearing that it endangered the rights of the States as well as the freedoms of individuals; he helped gain adoption of the Bill of Rights. By 1798 however, he supported President John Adams and the Federalists; he denounced passage of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions as he feared the social unrest and widespread executions that had followed the increasing radicalism of the French Revolution.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 26, 2017
After over 240 years, this speech still inspires one to a patriotic stirring. While reading this, I felt myself almost transported back to colonial times. I could feel my heart pounding to the rhythm of some old now antiquated marching drum. I felt a moving and a cry for freedom suppressed from within my lungs ready to come out with force. In the air there was a charge of electric unrealized dreams that no one knew if they would ever realize but were, nevertheless, willing to die for. The declaration soon to follow would ignite an explosion of independence and freedom at the hearts of many other, soon to be nations, oppressed slaves and other peoples for centuries to come. Inadvertently these people would change the face of humanities history and the world. In reading the final line, I couldn't help but slam my fist on the table in front of me. I immediately regretted it.
Patrick Henry apparently reached through time just to injure my hand!
Nevertheless, I wonder if they felt the tides of change as they deliberated over war.
Were their own interests their only motives or were they striving for
a universal ideology even at this time?
Take it or leave it, they were men of their times.
Who are we to say, can we really judge?
Can our history give us just a little nudge?
Can we learn from them and change our mind?
I cannot say but I know everything's not fine.
What will our progenitors think of us 250 or so years from now?
F**k if I know but I'll strive to make them proud!
(Sorry for the poor poetry skills. Still working on it...)
Patrick Henry apparently reached through time just to injure my hand!
Nevertheless, I wonder if they felt the tides of change as they deliberated over war.
Were their own interests their only motives or were they striving for
a universal ideology even at this time?
Take it or leave it, they were men of their times.
Who are we to say, can we really judge?
Can our history give us just a little nudge?
Can we learn from them and change our mind?
I cannot say but I know everything's not fine.
What will our progenitors think of us 250 or so years from now?
F**k if I know but I'll strive to make them proud!
(Sorry for the poor poetry skills. Still working on it...)
March 30, 2025
(Or the most famous thing never said.)
Read in The Constitution of the United States of America and Selected Writings of the Founding Fathers 7/4/23. (Reread 3/30/25 in honor of the 250th anniversary last weekend [3/23/25]. You can read it for yourself here.)
Summary: "Look fools. There's some peeps at the door with guns and handcuffs; just what the hell do you think they're here for? Rappin' wit' em ain't done shit, and I sure as hell got better things to do than stand around waitin' for a BOHICA. Y'all do what you want, but I'm done wit' this even if it kills me."
That actually might be closer to what Patrick Henry actually said than the speech we have on record (though probably not). There was no transcript of it, and the version we have today was cobbled together from elderly witnesses almost four decades later and two decades after Henry died. William Wirt, Henry's biographer and the man who put this speech to print, was known as the South's chief man of letters, so you know he had a flair for eloquence, and he didn't let it go to waste here. (Thomas Jefferson, who knew Patrick Henry rather well, apparently kept his copy of the biography shelved under "fiction.") The discovery of this intelligence was particularly dismaying to me because I had to memorize the final paragraph of this speech in 11th grade and recite it to my English class. (Well, how would you feel if you did all that work to memorize a famous speech only to find out nobody ever said it that way in the first place?! I mean, if Patrick Henry didn't even have to memorize his own speech, why should I?!)
What's worse is that I still have it memorized. In fact, I ran into my 11th grade English teacher a few years ago, and after shooting the bull for a couple of minutes, I set forth with "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter," and we both ran it through to its conclusion because we're dorks. (Well, I should just speak for myself. She can get away with that kind of silliness because she was a teacher, and such behavior is expected of her. I have no plausible excuse.)
It looks like the reproductions of the speech can't even agree on what words weren't said. The version I read tonight (7/4/23) in the book linked above omits the line "The war is actually begun," and uses "gale" in place of "tide." (Personally, I wish I had learned gale because it sounds cooler, but I doubt I will be able to casually slip it in now. After all, this has been hammered into my head for 28 and a quarter years next Tuesday which is almost twice as long as I had been alive when I learned it.)
I really would like to have heard the original speech, for I bet it was a pip. Patrick Henry was a firebrand with a penchant for name calling.
"Which is a wonderful trait to have."
Uh, yeah. I guess it depends on whom you ask.
So, why full marks for something so deceptive? Well, first, the speech actually happened. This incident is nowhere near as egregious as Weems' Washington cherry tree story which never happened at all. Second, everyone agreed on the content of the speech even if they couldn't recollect the exact words 40 years later. (As opposed to the rest of us who can recall with perfect clarity Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech from 1983 and can recite it verbatim.) Third, it's well-written even if Patrick Henry didn't use those words. (Historians aren't even 100% sure if he said the phrase "give me liberty, or give me death;" it's a fifty/fifty chance that that expression is all Wirt, though there's only a 10% chance of that. However, the phrase was used as a rallying cry all over the colonies after the speech, and it had to come from somewhere.)
(I doubt he said that.)
Fourth: Whatever Patrick Henry did say had a profound impact not only on the listeners but on history itself. Everyone sat silent for several moments after he was done. Thomas Marshall (father of John Marshall, the most famous Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court), declared it was "one of the boldest, vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence that had ever been delivered." Edward Carrington, who was listening outside the window, turned to his friends and said "bury me here in this very spot," and 35 years later, that's exactly where they planted him, right outside that window.
(He actually might've been standing more to the right.)
The speech's impact on history cannot be overstated, and it is one of the key events leading up to the Revolutionary War as it got everyone off their duffs to form a militia. The Virginia colony was "put into a posture of defence" (or went into DEFCON Two in modern parlance), and Patrick Henry pretty much gets most of the credit for that due to this speech. Not all of Virginia's counties complied, but several did; the ball was now rolling, and there was no stopping it once it got started. The other colonies heard about the speech, and several followed suit. A month later we had the Gunpowder Incident (Virginia's "Lexington and Concord" moment), and the new militias mobilized. While there wasn't any real military action involved, that was the final nail in the coffin for peace. In short: it was on.
This speech took place at St. John's Church in Richmond which is only 15 miles down the road from me. They have reenactments open to the public every Sunday during the summer as well as a few other times each year (not to mention private ones for schools and whatnot), and I've never been to one. (I'll never be able to make it to the anniversary one on March 23rd since it's right in the middle of tax season, and the firm would certainly give me permanent liberty as soon as tax season was over should I try to slip away for a few hours in the middle of the day, and that's only because it would be illegal for them to give me death.) But, I should be able to get to one during the summer easily, and I think I'll try to do just that later this year. Plus, a friend of mine plays Patrick Henry there, and I've never been to see him. Just what kind of a friend does that make me? I reckon I better get on out there.
8/6/23 update:
A friend and I were able to make it out there today, and it was worth the price of admission.
(Mr. Henry's on the left, just in case you couldn't figure it out.)
The members of the audience are supposed to be random delegates and shout out "aye" or "hear hear," or whatever whenever they agree with something, but they were moving so quickly that I didn't get too many "hear hears" out there. I got to sit behind my friend who was playing PH, and it was fun to hear his mumbles when he disagreed with another speaker; all the delegates were into their parts, so it was pretty fun. Also, I was inspired to go do something, anything, when it was all over. So, after I got home, I built this miniature Lego thing of St. John's Church which I got at the gift shop.
Well, I know it's not the same as marching off to war, but it's something.
Read in The Constitution of the United States of America and Selected Writings of the Founding Fathers 7/4/23. (Reread 3/30/25 in honor of the 250th anniversary last weekend [3/23/25]. You can read it for yourself here.)
Summary: "Look fools. There's some peeps at the door with guns and handcuffs; just what the hell do you think they're here for? Rappin' wit' em ain't done shit, and I sure as hell got better things to do than stand around waitin' for a BOHICA. Y'all do what you want, but I'm done wit' this even if it kills me."
That actually might be closer to what Patrick Henry actually said than the speech we have on record (though probably not). There was no transcript of it, and the version we have today was cobbled together from elderly witnesses almost four decades later and two decades after Henry died. William Wirt, Henry's biographer and the man who put this speech to print, was known as the South's chief man of letters, so you know he had a flair for eloquence, and he didn't let it go to waste here. (Thomas Jefferson, who knew Patrick Henry rather well, apparently kept his copy of the biography shelved under "fiction.") The discovery of this intelligence was particularly dismaying to me because I had to memorize the final paragraph of this speech in 11th grade and recite it to my English class. (Well, how would you feel if you did all that work to memorize a famous speech only to find out nobody ever said it that way in the first place?! I mean, if Patrick Henry didn't even have to memorize his own speech, why should I?!)
What's worse is that I still have it memorized. In fact, I ran into my 11th grade English teacher a few years ago, and after shooting the bull for a couple of minutes, I set forth with "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter," and we both ran it through to its conclusion because we're dorks. (Well, I should just speak for myself. She can get away with that kind of silliness because she was a teacher, and such behavior is expected of her. I have no plausible excuse.)
It looks like the reproductions of the speech can't even agree on what words weren't said. The version I read tonight (7/4/23) in the book linked above omits the line "The war is actually begun," and uses "gale" in place of "tide." (Personally, I wish I had learned gale because it sounds cooler, but I doubt I will be able to casually slip it in now. After all, this has been hammered into my head for 28 and a quarter years next Tuesday which is almost twice as long as I had been alive when I learned it.)
I really would like to have heard the original speech, for I bet it was a pip. Patrick Henry was a firebrand with a penchant for name calling.
"Which is a wonderful trait to have."
Uh, yeah. I guess it depends on whom you ask.
So, why full marks for something so deceptive? Well, first, the speech actually happened. This incident is nowhere near as egregious as Weems' Washington cherry tree story which never happened at all. Second, everyone agreed on the content of the speech even if they couldn't recollect the exact words 40 years later. (As opposed to the rest of us who can recall with perfect clarity Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech from 1983 and can recite it verbatim.) Third, it's well-written even if Patrick Henry didn't use those words. (Historians aren't even 100% sure if he said the phrase "give me liberty, or give me death;" it's a fifty/fifty chance that that expression is all Wirt, though there's only a 10% chance of that. However, the phrase was used as a rallying cry all over the colonies after the speech, and it had to come from somewhere.)
(I doubt he said that.)
Fourth: Whatever Patrick Henry did say had a profound impact not only on the listeners but on history itself. Everyone sat silent for several moments after he was done. Thomas Marshall (father of John Marshall, the most famous Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court), declared it was "one of the boldest, vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence that had ever been delivered." Edward Carrington, who was listening outside the window, turned to his friends and said "bury me here in this very spot," and 35 years later, that's exactly where they planted him, right outside that window.
(He actually might've been standing more to the right.)
The speech's impact on history cannot be overstated, and it is one of the key events leading up to the Revolutionary War as it got everyone off their duffs to form a militia. The Virginia colony was "put into a posture of defence" (or went into DEFCON Two in modern parlance), and Patrick Henry pretty much gets most of the credit for that due to this speech. Not all of Virginia's counties complied, but several did; the ball was now rolling, and there was no stopping it once it got started. The other colonies heard about the speech, and several followed suit. A month later we had the Gunpowder Incident (Virginia's "Lexington and Concord" moment), and the new militias mobilized. While there wasn't any real military action involved, that was the final nail in the coffin for peace. In short: it was on.
This speech took place at St. John's Church in Richmond which is only 15 miles down the road from me. They have reenactments open to the public every Sunday during the summer as well as a few other times each year (not to mention private ones for schools and whatnot), and I've never been to one. (I'll never be able to make it to the anniversary one on March 23rd since it's right in the middle of tax season, and the firm would certainly give me permanent liberty as soon as tax season was over should I try to slip away for a few hours in the middle of the day, and that's only because it would be illegal for them to give me death.) But, I should be able to get to one during the summer easily, and I think I'll try to do just that later this year. Plus, a friend of mine plays Patrick Henry there, and I've never been to see him. Just what kind of a friend does that make me? I reckon I better get on out there.
8/6/23 update:
A friend and I were able to make it out there today, and it was worth the price of admission.
(Mr. Henry's on the left, just in case you couldn't figure it out.)
The members of the audience are supposed to be random delegates and shout out "aye" or "hear hear," or whatever whenever they agree with something, but they were moving so quickly that I didn't get too many "hear hears" out there. I got to sit behind my friend who was playing PH, and it was fun to hear his mumbles when he disagreed with another speaker; all the delegates were into their parts, so it was pretty fun. Also, I was inspired to go do something, anything, when it was all over. So, after I got home, I built this miniature Lego thing of St. John's Church which I got at the gift shop.
Well, I know it's not the same as marching off to war, but it's something.
February 13, 2018
Henry the traditionalist
Henry's stirring and famous appeal to the house of burgesses is notable not only for it's magnificent rhetoric but also for Henry's conception of American liberty. Henry and the Virginians seem uninterested in creating a new order. They display a willingness to fight for the rights they inherited from the English constitution. In this way American revolution was a fight for tradition, and in many ways was barely a revolution at all.
Henry's stirring and famous appeal to the house of burgesses is notable not only for it's magnificent rhetoric but also for Henry's conception of American liberty. Henry and the Virginians seem uninterested in creating a new order. They display a willingness to fight for the rights they inherited from the English constitution. In this way American revolution was a fight for tradition, and in many ways was barely a revolution at all.
March 7, 2019
Patrick Henry outlines a case for war of independence from Great Britain, saying that there is no better time, no other solution, and - for him, at least - no other choice.
August 18, 2021
"...They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? 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 shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. 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 it, sir, let it come...."
This speech literally possessed me; even after two and a half-century...
I am speechless.
This speech literally possessed me; even after two and a half-century...
I am speechless.
February 27, 2018
If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
........... 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!
A call to arms and an effort to raise a militia, given at the second Virginia convention in March 1775, Patrick Henry's speech is a part of American history that every student of the revolutionary period should read. Several free online sources are available.
http://www.history.org/almanack/life/...
........... 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!
A call to arms and an effort to raise a militia, given at the second Virginia convention in March 1775, Patrick Henry's speech is a part of American history that every student of the revolutionary period should read. Several free online sources are available.
http://www.history.org/almanack/life/...
August 27, 2020
Για να ξέρουμε από πού βγήκε το Ελευθερία η Θάνατος τις δικής μας επανάστασης
August 9, 2019
The moving and well written speech by Patrick Henry should be one that every American reads. It is stirring and builds right up to that famous quote,"Give me liberty or give me death."
Read bits and pieces of it through the years, but until today I have never actually read it all the way through. It is wonderful and sorry I never sought out the full speech.
Read bits and pieces of it through the years, but until today I have never actually read it all the way through. It is wonderful and sorry I never sought out the full speech.
September 19, 2012
It's super-short, like 5-6 pages, and you can read it for free, as it's in the public domain. Could feel the intensity on the page. Every American should read this.
August 22, 2013
Agreed that everyone should read once. The power behind this speech is incredible.
October 3, 2018
Read this for school! Short but very powerful!
June 22, 2021
You know, it's amazing to me that I was never required to read this for school. This was my first time ever reading this and it really moved me. Patriotism at its best, with a few legitimate reasons for dying, always do my heart good.
July 12, 2018
Wow, this speech was powerful!
What I Liked: I, of course, learned about Patrick Henry in my history books and such, but after reading a middle-grade series on Patrick Henry's daughter, Annie, I became even more intrigued about this man. I was able to find a free e-copy of this book on Amazon, so I downloaded it and read it. This only took me about five minutes to read, but the eloquence and fluidity of this speech and how well the passion of beliefs held by our Founding Fathers was expressed will stay with me a long time. I read this book a few days before the 4th of July and I found that it was an excellent reminder to me of the sacrifices men like Patrick Henry and so many others made so that we could enjoy freedom. It reminded me of the depth of the importance and significance of this celebration in America.
What I Didn't Like: I don't think there was anything I didn't like.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
What I Liked: I, of course, learned about Patrick Henry in my history books and such, but after reading a middle-grade series on Patrick Henry's daughter, Annie, I became even more intrigued about this man. I was able to find a free e-copy of this book on Amazon, so I downloaded it and read it. This only took me about five minutes to read, but the eloquence and fluidity of this speech and how well the passion of beliefs held by our Founding Fathers was expressed will stay with me a long time. I read this book a few days before the 4th of July and I found that it was an excellent reminder to me of the sacrifices men like Patrick Henry and so many others made so that we could enjoy freedom. It reminded me of the depth of the importance and significance of this celebration in America.
What I Didn't Like: I don't think there was anything I didn't like.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
July 12, 2013
This speech is very short. Not nearly long enough to qualify as a book. Get it and read it.
Anyone who is enlightened enough to see that America presently has a bad case of tyranny, and knowing that history repeats itself and that God expects us to protect liberty, will find Mr. Henry's words to be inspiring and thought provoking. I can see that unless we change our present course, such speech will be needed again in the future.
A word about the Kindle formatting. I am not sure what kind of funky html code is in the book, but I had issues where the font kept changing as I paged forward and backward. I found that to be very irritating. So I give Patrick's speech 8 stars, minus 4 stars for the poor execution of the book formatting and add 1 star because it was free.
Anyone who is enlightened enough to see that America presently has a bad case of tyranny, and knowing that history repeats itself and that God expects us to protect liberty, will find Mr. Henry's words to be inspiring and thought provoking. I can see that unless we change our present course, such speech will be needed again in the future.
A word about the Kindle formatting. I am not sure what kind of funky html code is in the book, but I had issues where the font kept changing as I paged forward and backward. I found that to be very irritating. So I give Patrick's speech 8 stars, minus 4 stars for the poor execution of the book formatting and add 1 star because it was free.
July 1, 2014
Without a doubt, this was the most amazing speech ever delivered in the entire history of speeches. This speech is probably one of the main reasons that the United States of America exists, and is definitely worth your time to read.
January 3, 2019
Great short read that any US citizen should read. Will look back at this while reading more background info prior to the speech.
March 19, 2021
March 23, 1775 - at the time of this writing I may have been praying for the British to whoop the Americans ass since they were holding my people in bondage while they were giving such emotional and elegant speeches of freedom and liberty. However, as a student of history and language, these words send chills down my spine as they are as true and useful today as they were when originally spoken. The cynical nature of the recorders of history would have Patrick Henry a hero. But let these words be spoken today by someone of another skin tone and watch CNN or Fox News label him a "conspiracy theorist", or worse.
January 17, 2021
VERY anti-british. i love that
July 6, 2023
I love anything like this! Knowing what impacted history more in depth than what i knew before. Hoghly recomend if not read.
Read
December 29, 2024“Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand 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!”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
A moving political speech, remarkable in the way it builds up from tones of polite disagreement ("different men often see the same subject in different lights") to fiery rhetoric about the fate of the citizenry, approaching war, life and death. I recently read (in an article by Charles L. Cohen) about the numerous allusions to the book of Jeremiah, such as "Peace, peace; when there is no peace," which must contribute to the epic grandeur of the speech.
Two complications, though:
1. It's unclear to what extent these are actually Henry's words. The version we know is from a biography of Patrick Henry by William Wirt, so at least some of the wording might be his. Interestingly, Wirt relates the speech in the kind of indirect discourse that is familiar from Jane Austen and other early 19th-century novelists: "'No man,' he said, 'thought more highly than he did, of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who had just addressed the house.'" In modern editions this is converted to the "actual" words: "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House."
2. Henry owned slaves throughout his life, even though he objected to slavery on principle, writing "I am the master of slaves of my own purchase. I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living here without them. I will not, I cannot justify it." (Kukla's biography, cited in Wikipedia). So we have to be aware of this uncomfortable hypocrisy in Henry's call for liberty.
Two complications, though:
1. It's unclear to what extent these are actually Henry's words. The version we know is from a biography of Patrick Henry by William Wirt, so at least some of the wording might be his. Interestingly, Wirt relates the speech in the kind of indirect discourse that is familiar from Jane Austen and other early 19th-century novelists: "'No man,' he said, 'thought more highly than he did, of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who had just addressed the house.'" In modern editions this is converted to the "actual" words: "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House."
2. Henry owned slaves throughout his life, even though he objected to slavery on principle, writing "I am the master of slaves of my own purchase. I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living here without them. I will not, I cannot justify it." (Kukla's biography, cited in Wikipedia). So we have to be aware of this uncomfortable hypocrisy in Henry's call for liberty.
December 22, 2022
Beautiful prose culminating with perhaps America's most famous rallying cry.
Me favorite section: "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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their 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."
This gave me chills. One of my personal goals is to never ignore or walk away from the truth. We have all had moments in our lives when the truth is staring us down and we can either pretend it isn't there or accept it and move on. For most of us, the truth is not as extreme as the British military mounting their forces for war while we're debating whether the war will come or not. I think that is why "give me liberty or give me death" became such a powerful line.
Me favorite section: "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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their 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."
This gave me chills. One of my personal goals is to never ignore or walk away from the truth. We have all had moments in our lives when the truth is staring us down and we can either pretend it isn't there or accept it and move on. For most of us, the truth is not as extreme as the British military mounting their forces for war while we're debating whether the war will come or not. I think that is why "give me liberty or give me death" became such a powerful line.
September 1, 2021
Compelling speech that does a good job of setting up and knocking down much of the pacifist and reconciliation sentiment of the time.
October 2, 2025
Bro really popped off with this one. 8 minutes marvelously spent on this audiobook. If I had a print copy of this, probably half of it would be highlighted and annotated with FUCK YEAHs. Even though the language is old and hard to get into, once you get into it, it’s unbelievably moving and motivational. And, incredibly, it’s timely, even now. Even in this year 2025 as we Americans are attempting to resist a rapid descent into tyranny and madness. This speech still rings true, far beyond the last and most famous words: “give me liberty, or give me death.” And even though that’s the last line, and the best known line, and I surely can’t write something catchier, I’d like to change the sentiment just slightly. And I’d urge everyone who still feels the spirit of America lives somewhere, to take up this cry: “Give me liberty, or I will take it by force.”
Had to deduct two stars for this fact: bro is in this speech talking about slavery as if he and his fellow white dudes are right on the cusp of it. As if Britain has forged their shackles and darkens their coasts with malicious intent. As if he and his bros are about to be taken by force from their continent, stripped of their status as human beings, forced to do backbreaking labor for no pay, and beaten without cause. Dude is saying “we have to go fight this revolutionary war or else we’ll never be free.” And he’s saying all this shit because of TAXES and NOT HAVING REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT and SOMETIMES BEING FORCED TO HOUSE A BRITISH SOLDIER. Bro. That is NOT FUCKING SLAVERY. It’s certainly tyranny, but not slavery. And guess what? This guy is one to talk about slavery because he HAD. SLAVES! FUCKING CRAZY!!
It’s giving… white guy says the n-word, gets called a cracker, and then cries “reverse racism.” It’s giving… dude who r*pes a girl, then turns around and says his biggest fear is getting booty r*ped in prison. It’s giving… no empathy, no critical thinking skills. Your biggest fear is ending up in the situation that you put others in? You’re not afraid of slavery at that point, you’re afraid of KARMA.
Man, this speech was five stars before I learned this shit.
Had to deduct two stars for this fact: bro is in this speech talking about slavery as if he and his fellow white dudes are right on the cusp of it. As if Britain has forged their shackles and darkens their coasts with malicious intent. As if he and his bros are about to be taken by force from their continent, stripped of their status as human beings, forced to do backbreaking labor for no pay, and beaten without cause. Dude is saying “we have to go fight this revolutionary war or else we’ll never be free.” And he’s saying all this shit because of TAXES and NOT HAVING REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT and SOMETIMES BEING FORCED TO HOUSE A BRITISH SOLDIER. Bro. That is NOT FUCKING SLAVERY. It’s certainly tyranny, but not slavery. And guess what? This guy is one to talk about slavery because he HAD. SLAVES! FUCKING CRAZY!!
It’s giving… white guy says the n-word, gets called a cracker, and then cries “reverse racism.” It’s giving… dude who r*pes a girl, then turns around and says his biggest fear is getting booty r*ped in prison. It’s giving… no empathy, no critical thinking skills. Your biggest fear is ending up in the situation that you put others in? You’re not afraid of slavery at that point, you’re afraid of KARMA.
Man, this speech was five stars before I learned this shit.
June 24, 2020
Read for yourself the entire speech of Matthew Henry
Most of us have read or heard the phrase made so famous by Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty or give me death!” But have we heard the entire speech from which it came?
This is your opportunity to read his words that launched the people of the American colonies from complacency and sniveling compliance with their British overlords to a revolution to secure their rights as free men. Although not long, the speech is powerful and persuasive. It reflects the thoughts of a man who loved both peace and freedom and who saw war as his only recourse to secure the latter.
If you love history and the men and women who shaped our American heritage, then this electronic record of Patrick Henry’s address should be part of your virtual library. I only wish the folks who produced this eBook had provided a bit of Henry’s background and a brief summary of the occasion upon which the speech was given as context for those who may not know.
Most of us have read or heard the phrase made so famous by Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty or give me death!” But have we heard the entire speech from which it came?
This is your opportunity to read his words that launched the people of the American colonies from complacency and sniveling compliance with their British overlords to a revolution to secure their rights as free men. Although not long, the speech is powerful and persuasive. It reflects the thoughts of a man who loved both peace and freedom and who saw war as his only recourse to secure the latter.
If you love history and the men and women who shaped our American heritage, then this electronic record of Patrick Henry’s address should be part of your virtual library. I only wish the folks who produced this eBook had provided a bit of Henry’s background and a brief summary of the occasion upon which the speech was given as context for those who may not know.
September 19, 2018
Found a copy of Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech online. There is just so much punctuation in this piece - commas, semi-colons, dashes. If you're an English major & reading this, it almost hurts to look at because everything looks like a variation of a run-sentence. But you end up putting that aside as you read, because reading this almost gives you a feeling pride. You almost hear Patrick Henry reading this speech. That's why I rated it higher - because I ended up having almost a visceral reaction to the speech upon reading it, not necessarily because it was a fantastic read. (The historian in me loved it.) All of that said, I feel like this speech would be amazing to listen to!
June 14, 2025
Henry’s speech is not a relic — it is a litmus test. His cry forces us to ask: when do we stand, and when do we submit? Are we willing to trade principle for convenience, justice for stability, or truth for silence?
In an age of drones and diplomats, of disinformation and displaced populations, the world must again wrestle with Henry’s impossible clarity. His voice reminds us that liberty is not given; it is chosen, defended, and sometimes paid for — not just in wars, but in words, protest, exile, and courage.
As we watch history unfold in Ukraine, in Gaza, in the Persian Gulf and beyond, we must decide not just what side we’re on — but whether we still believe that some things are worth everything.
In an age of drones and diplomats, of disinformation and displaced populations, the world must again wrestle with Henry’s impossible clarity. His voice reminds us that liberty is not given; it is chosen, defended, and sometimes paid for — not just in wars, but in words, protest, exile, and courage.
As we watch history unfold in Ukraine, in Gaza, in the Persian Gulf and beyond, we must decide not just what side we’re on — but whether we still believe that some things are worth everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2024
“They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.”
Patrick Henry speaks his mind.
There’s debate about the heavy British military presence in the American colonies. Patrick doesn’t think it’s for peaceful reasons.
While others in the chamber wish to continue to try to negotiate with their royal oppressors, all letters and petitions have effectively been dismissed.
“The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by an force which our enemy can send against us.”
If not now…then when?
“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Patrick Henry speaks his mind.
There’s debate about the heavy British military presence in the American colonies. Patrick doesn’t think it’s for peaceful reasons.
While others in the chamber wish to continue to try to negotiate with their royal oppressors, all letters and petitions have effectively been dismissed.
“The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by an force which our enemy can send against us.”
If not now…then when?
“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Read
October 30, 2021Timely
Is there anyone today as articulate as this? Can we imagine what it must have been like for those men? We have forgotten what it is to be free from intimidation. Are we far removed in the 21st century from our founders in the 18th? We sleep peacefully in our beds at night, our only fear being cancelled by howling mobs of the woke. Stand up. Wake up. We are all of us, free. Remember the past and secure your future.
Is there anyone today as articulate as this? Can we imagine what it must have been like for those men? We have forgotten what it is to be free from intimidation. Are we far removed in the 21st century from our founders in the 18th? We sleep peacefully in our beds at night, our only fear being cancelled by howling mobs of the woke. Stand up. Wake up. We are all of us, free. Remember the past and secure your future.
July 26, 2022
I'd never read the complete speech. I was not surprised by the flowery language which was common in the 18th century.
I was slightly surprised to learn that there is no accepted version of the speech, the only version that we have was written down FORTY years later by some guys from memory!
Patrick Henry might not even have actually said "Give me liberty or give me death".
Still, it's a great phrase whoever wrote it.
I was slightly surprised to learn that there is no accepted version of the speech, the only version that we have was written down FORTY years later by some guys from memory!
Patrick Henry might not even have actually said "Give me liberty or give me death".
Still, it's a great phrase whoever wrote it.
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