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Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Thomas Paine4 quotes
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Thomas Paine · 1776These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated. — Thomas Paine · 1776It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same. — Thomas Paine · 1777It is the object only of war that makes it honorable. And if there was ever a just war since the world began, it is this in which America is now engaged. — Thomas Paine · 1778John Adams3 quotes
The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. — John Adams · 1818In Politicks the Middle Way is none at all. — John Adams · 1776This is the most significant movement of all! There is a dignity, a majesty, a sublimity, in this last effort of the patriots, that I greatly admire. The people should never rise without doing something to be remembered, something notable and striking. This destruction of the tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid and inflexible, and it must have so important consequences, and so lasting, that I cannot but consider it as an epocha in history. — John Adams · 1773George Washington2 quotes
Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth. — George Washington · 1776The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own... The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect-We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die. — George Washington · 1776Henry Wadsworth Longfellow1 quote
One, if by land, and two, if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm. — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · 1861John Page1 quote
We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm? — John Page · 1776John Parker1 quote
Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here! — John Parker · 1775Paul Revere1 quote
If the British went out by water, to show two lanterns in the North Church steeple; and if by land, one as a signal, for we were apprehensive it would be difficult to cross the Charles River or get over Boston Neck. — Paul Revere · 1775Richard Henry Lee1 quote
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. — Richard Henry Lee · 1776Ronald Reagan1 quote
Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: "We the People." "We the People" tell the government what to do; it doesn't tell us."We the People" are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which "We the People" tell the government what it is allowed to do."We the People" are free. — Ronald Reagan · 1989Samuel Adams1 quote
What a glorious morning is this. — Samuel Adams · 1775