Quote#Freedom
It is not a little Surprising that Christianity, whose chief…
Quote byPatrick Henry · 1736–1799
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to Robert Pleasants (1773), As quoted in We Hold These Truths, by Randall Norman Desoto, pp. 72–73.
English (original)
It is not a little Surprising that Christianity, whose chief excellence consists of softening the human heart, in cherishing and improving its finer Feelings, should encourage a Practice so totally repugnant to the first Impression of Right and Wrong. What adds to the wonder is that this Abominable Practice has been introduced in the most enlightened Ages.
— Patrick Henry
More from Patrick Henry
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I will not, I cannot justify it.
Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third — ["Treason!" cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
A King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.
The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American.
I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we do is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for …