FFQF: Patrick Henry on Virtue
Today’s Founder’s quote on VIRTUE comes from Patrick Henry, the great orator of the American Revolution. He is largely remembered for stirring up the zeal of patriots throughout the nation by his impassioned speeches. It was Patrick Henry’s action that was key to the passage of a set of Resolutions by the Virginia House of Burgesses, to refuse to submit to the Stamp Act of 1765.
The main reason why most colonies resented the Act, was because Parliament was passing tyrannical legislation against the colonies, when according the colonies’ charters, Parliament had no right to legislate over the colonies at all.
On the back of the draft of the Resolutions passed by the House, is this endorsement in Patrick Henry’s own handwriting:
“Whether [our independence] will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! whoever thou art, remember this; and in they sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.”Life of Patrick Henry (by William W. Henry), volume 1, pp. 81-82
No, we don’t need to march into Iraq or Afghanistan to remain free. We don’t need to get the right judges on the bench to remain free, or pass conservative legislation to remain free. If we the people are truly vested with self-government, than we need to realize that the key to success is to stop emphasizing self and start governing ourselves.
However, until we realize that there is an absolute standard for morals and virtue, and until we understand what that authority is, we will never know how to govern ourselves. Next week’s FFQF installment on VIRTUE will present the Founders’ view on what the ultimate authority for virtue and morality is. Stay tuned!
5 Responses to “FFQF: Patrick Henry on Virtue”
October 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Wow, Herky! I’m going to have to come back and read this after the caffeine has kicked in.
My post is up here:
http://akagaga.blogspot.com/2008/10/ffqf-abigail-adams-on-virtue.html
Just to warn you – I cheated!
October 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Outstanding post! I didn’t know Patrick Henry had written that on the back!
This is a great theme this month. The hardest part has been choosing from amongst all the jewels!
My post is up:
http://newyorktraveler.net/ffqf-mans-lust-for-power/
October 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thank you all!
Jean, I wouldn’t consider a quote from Abigail Adams a cheat! It’s just fine!
Mrs. Mecomber, you’re absolutely right! I am going to have a hard time limiting my quotes here!
Happy FFQF!
October 13th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
outstanding post i agree with mecomber
October 13th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Mr. Mulligan:
I don’t know if you remember me but I am a contributor to the American Creation blog. I am writing to ask you if you would be interested in being a guest blogger to our site. I am currently looking for bloggers with a unique view of this topic and you are a perfect candidate.
I realize that you are pressed for time so if you cannot compose a new posting perhaps you could use one of your old posts. We would be happy with whatever you’d like to submit.
Anyway, if you are interested (and I sincerely hope that you are) please email me your post to my email address: lindseyshuman@gmail.com
Thanks!
Lindsey Shuman
Leave a Comment