American Revolution Quotes - Page 3

• I have not yet begun to fight!

  John Paul Jones

  Memorial Day, Military, War

  Quoted in John Henry Sherburne, Life and Character of the Chevalier John Paul Jones (1825).

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• Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.

  Samuel Adams

  Law, Government, People

  The Advertiser, 1748.

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• They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Inspirational, Happiness, Peace

  Benjamin Franklin, William-Temple Franklin (1818). “Memoirs of the Life and Writings of (the Same), Continued to the Time of His Death by William Temple Franklin. - London, H. Colburn 1818”, p.270

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• If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worth while. . . . The beauty and cogency of the preamble, reaching back to remotest antiquity and forward so an indefinite future, have lifted the hearts of millions of men and will continue to do. . . . These words are more revolutionary than anything written by Robespierre, Marx, or Lenin, more explosive than the atom, a continual challenge to ourselves as well as an inspiration to the oppressed of all the world.

  Samuel Eliot Morison

  Inspiration, Heart, Men

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• A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.

  Samuel Adams

  America, Enemy, Liberty

  Samuel Adams (1968). “The Writings of Samuel Adams: 1778-1802”

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• A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.

  Thomas Jefferson

  4th Of July, Rights, Law

  Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Late President of the United States”, p.118

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• Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are fighting for the blessings of liberty.

  George Washington

  Fighting, Blessing, Soldier

  George Washington, John Clement Fitzpatrick, David Maydole Matteson (1776). “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799”, p.479

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• A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.

  Samuel Adams

  Patriotic, America, People

  Samuel Adams (1968). “The Writings of Samuel Adams: 1778-1802”

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• Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!

  William H. Prescott

  Memorial Day, Military, War

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• Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part.

  Thomas Paine

  Nature, Blood, Voice

  Thomas Paine, Bruce Kuklick (2000). “Paine: Political Writings”, p.20, Cambridge University Press

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• 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!

  Patrick Henry

  Strong, War, Boston

  Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, delivered 23 March 1775 at Henrico Parrish Church St, Richmond Virginia, Second Virginia Convention

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• In all their wars against the French they [the Americans] never showed such conduct, attention and perseverance as they do now.

  Thomas Gage

  Perseverance, War, Military

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• I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake.

  Thomas Paine

  Littles, Too Much, Revolution

  Thomas Paine, Bruce Kuklick (2000). “Paine: Political Writings”, p.54, Cambridge University Press

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• The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!

  Patrick Henry

  Revolution, Distinction, Virginians

  Patrick Henry (2007). “Patrick Henry in his speeches and writings and in the words of his contemporaries”, Warwick House Publishing

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• Fear is the passion of slaves.

  Patrick Henry

  Fear, 4th Of July, Passion

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

  Patrick Henry

  Inspirational, Veterans Day, Courage

  Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, delivered 23 March 1775 at Henrico Parrish Church St, Richmond Virginia, Second Virginia Convention

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• The house shakes...with the roar of the cannon. No sleep for me tonight.

  Abigail Adams

  Sleep, House, Revolution

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• Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes! Then fire low!

  Israel Putnam

  Military, War, Eye

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• The rebels did more in one night than my whole army would have done in one month.

  William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe

  Army, Night, Rebel

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• The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation.

  Woodrow Wilson

  4th Of July, Usa Patriotism, Revolution

  United States. President (1913-1921 : Wilson), Woodrow Wilson (1918). “President Wilson ̓state papers and addresses”

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• The shot heard round the world.

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  Revolutionary War, Augusta National, April And Spring

  "Concord Hymn" l. 1 (1837)

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• [T]he hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.

  George Washington

  Country, Army, Fighting

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.149

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• To say that obesity is caused by merely consuming too many calories is like saying that the only cause of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party.

  Adelle Davis

  Funny, Party, Boston

  Adelle Davis (1970). “Let's Eat Right To Keep FIt”

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• The consequences of things are not always proportionate to the apparent magnitude of those events that have produced them. Thus the American Revolution, from which little was expected, produced much; but the French Revolution, from which much was expected, produced little.

  Charles Caleb Colton

  Events, Littles, Revolution

  Charles Caleb Colton (1836). “Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Addressed to Those who Think”, p.115

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• The American Revolution was, in fact, a battle against the philosophy of Locke and the English utilitarians.

  Robert Trout

  Philosophy, Battle, Revolution

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