WORD LISTS

Patrick Henry, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"

May 2, 2012

On March 23, 1775 Virginian patriots met at St. John’s Church in Richmond to discuss support for fellow colonists in Massachusetts where Parliament had sent four regiments of troops. Leading the call for Virginian’s to act was Patrick Henry. In proposing that Virginia prepare itself to fight he delivered an emotional speech ending with his immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

patriotism

No man, Mr. President, thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House.

entertain

But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

sentiment

But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

reserve

ceremony

This is no time for ceremony.

proportion

For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

magnitude

For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

offense

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

treason

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

revere

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

indulge

Henry is saying that it is normal for people to yield to or give in to false hopes.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

illusion

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

siren

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.

arduous

Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?

temporal

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?

anguish

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.

conduct

And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.

ministry

And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.

solace

And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.

insidious

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

petition

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

gracious

Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

reception

Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

comport

Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

reconciliation

Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?

deceive

Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.

subjugation

These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.

resort

Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?

martial

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

array

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

submission

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

accumulation

Henry was referring to Parliament's actions that included sending troops under General Thomas Gage to Boston.

Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

vain

Fruitless and futile are synonyms of vain.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.

entreaty

Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?

humble

Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?

beseech

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.

avert

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on.

remonstrate

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

supplicate

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

prostrate

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

implore

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

tyrannical

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

parliament

Parliament is the proper name of the British law making body.

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

remonstrance

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!

spurn

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!

contempt

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!

inestimable

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!

pledge

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!

appeal

An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

formidable

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.

adversary

Enemy or opponent are synonyms for adversary.

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.

effectual

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?

delusive

Misleading is a synonym for delusive.

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?

phantom

Henry is using sarcasm or irony. He is asking if Virginians should continue to hug or hold on to unreal hope until Parliament has tied them up.

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?

invincible

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.

preside

Governs and oversees are synonyms for presides

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

vigilant

Attentive and alert are synonyms for vigilant.

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

base

If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

inevitable

The war is inevitable — and let it come!

extenuate

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.

gale

Storm is a synonym for gale. Henry is using gale as a metaphor for the threat of fighting with Britain. Just as a thunderstorm brings a clash of thunder war brings a clash of arms.

The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!

brethren

Brothers is a synonym for brethren. Henry is talking about the people of Massachusetts as the brothers of Virginians.

Our brethren are already in the field!

idle

Why stand we here idle?

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