Quotes from Richard Henry Lee

It must never be forgotten...that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government as by the limitation of power.

To say that a bad government must be established for fear of anarchy is really saying that we should kill ourselves for fear of dying.

It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.

That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.

And I see the danger in either case will arise principally from the conduct and views of two very unprincipled parties in the United States-two fires, between which the honest and substantial people have long found themselves situated.

The first maxim of a man who loves liberty, should be never to grant to rulers an atom of power that is not most clearly and indispensably necessary for the safety and well being of society.

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.