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?…
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 a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power…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.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!... Our brethren are already in the field!
Why stand we here idle?...
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!
The voice of a man...Patrick Henry. A man credited for bringing Virginia into the heart of the American Revolution.
And yet, read the words over again. Do they not rally us today?
Not to the revolution of patriotism against the tyrannical rule of another nation, but a revolution nonetheless...a revolution in our hearts and minds.
Why stand we here idle?
Wow. I had never heard the whole of the speech. You are right, it rouses us even today. To the revolution of all time. Inspiring. Passionate. Beautiful. Count me in.
ReplyDeleteAnd this isn't even the half of his speech. Go look it up! See how many parallels you can find. Alyssa and I were talking about it in the scope of education, but maybe you can look at it from a different angle. Everything we study and think as of late is very much processed through our "education" lenses. A different perspective could also be enlightening;)
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