--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Guard with jealous attention the public…" description: "\"“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright for..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/patrick-henry-3071_armed_guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public_90156.jpg" --- # Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect… ![“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined… The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.” quote by Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/patrick-henry-3071_armed_guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public_90156.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/patrick-henry-3071_armed_guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public_90156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/patrick-henry-3071_armed_guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public_90156.jpg) > ““Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined… The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”” [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that liberty requires vigilance and force; without armed defense, society risks ruin. **In simple terms:** Liberty needs armed vigilance. Key Takeaway Defense preserves freedom. Themes politics freedom security militarism civic duty Mood defiant urgent cautionary Type political warning rhetorical When to use this quote - revolutionary period - modern gun debate - civil unrest Key Concepts self‑defense state authority Practical Applications - political essays - policy analysis Questions to Reflect On - Is force the only safeguard for freedom? - How do societies balance liberty and security? A Different Perspective Some argue that civil institutions, not armed individuals, safeguard liberty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Armed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed/) [Every man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-man/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guard/) [Guard Jealous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guard-jealous-1122462/) [Man Armed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-armed-1122463/) [Public Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-liberty-376319/) ## Related quotes > [Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public-liberty-suspect-everyone-who-2/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/guard-with-jealous-attention-the-public-liberty-suspect-everyone-who-3/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [“The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-great-object-is-that-every-man-be-armed-everyone-who-is-able-may/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [The militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. The great object is that every man be armed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-militia-is-our-ultimate-safety-we-can-have-no-security-without-it/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [The great object is that every man be armed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-great-object-is-that-every-man-be-armed/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/is-the-relinquishment-of-the-trial-by-jury-and-the-liberty-of-the/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. ... Guard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/suspicion-is-a-virtue-as-long-as-its-object-is-the-public-good-and-as/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [A man armed with a rhyming dictionary is a dangerous man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/a-man-armed-with-a-rhyming-dictionary-is-a-dangerous-man/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Man armed with science is like a baby with a box of matches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-s-haldane/man-armed-with-science-is-like-a-baby-with-a-box-of-matches/) [John B. S. Haldane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-b-s-haldane/) > [This house protected by an armed citizen. There is absolutely nothing here worth dying for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/this-house-protected-by-an-armed-citizen-there-is-absolutely-nothing/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [“Government is nothing more than the combined force of society or the united power of the multitude for the peace, order, safety, good, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/government-is-nothing-more-than-the-combined-force-of-society-or-the/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [I may err in my measures, but never shall deflect from the intention to fortify the public liberty by every possible means, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-may-err-in-my-measures-but-never-shall-deflect-from-the-intention/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It gives me pleasure to find that public liberty is effectually secured in each and all the policies of the United States, though somewhat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stiles/it-gives-me-pleasure-to-find-that-public-liberty-is-effectually/) [Ezra Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-stiles/) > [The crime of ingratitude has not yet stained, and I trust never will stain, our national character. You are considered by them as not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/the-crime-of-ingratitude-has-not-yet-stained-and-i-trust-never-will/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) ## More by Patrick Henry > [You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watchful-jealous-of-your-liberty/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-have-now-disposed-of-all-my-property-to-my-family-there-is-one/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/my-great-objection-to-this-government-is-that-it-does-not-leave-us/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [“When the American Spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; Liberty, sir, was then the primary object.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/when-the-american-spirit-was-in-its-youth-the-language-of-america-was/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Shall we, who have laid the proud British lion at our feet, now be afraid of his whelps?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/shall-we-who-have-laid-the-proud-british-lion-at-our-feet-now-be/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/it-is-when-a-people-forget-god-that-tyrants-forge-their-chains/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [That religion, or the duty we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/that-religion-or-the-duty-we-owe-to-our-creator-and-the-manner-of/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [I shall act as I think my duty requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-shall-act-as-i-think-my-duty-requires/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/it-is-the-business-of-a-virtuous-clergy-to-censure-vice-in-every/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Being a Christian... is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/being-a-christian-is-a-character-which-i-prize-far-above-all-this/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/jealousy-is-the-only-vice-that-gives-no-pleasure/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > […I am sure that the dangers of this system (the Federal Constitution) are real, when those who have no similar interest with the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/i-am-sure-that-the-dangers-of-this-system-the-federal-constitution/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it! Almighty God! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/is-life-so-dear-or-peace-so-sweet-as-to-be-purchased-at-the-price-of/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/that-religion-or-the-duty-which-we-owe-to-our-creator-and-the-manner/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/the-liberties-of-a-people-never-were-nor-ever-will-be-secure-when-the/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) [Explore all 139 Patrick Henry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) ## More Armed quotes > [Liberty does not exist where rights are on one side and power on the other. To be liberty, rights must be armed with vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/liberty-does-not-exist-where-rights-are-on-one-side-and-power-on-the/) [Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-quintus-cincinnatus-lamar-ii/) > [“Have you ever done this before?" "Done what?" "Attacked two armed men with sticks?" "No, but I'm looking forward to it," he smiled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lenahan/have-you-ever-done-this-before-done-what-attacked-two-armed-men-with/) [John Lenahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lenahan/) > [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/) [Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/) > [“Keep in mind that without the law, we’re not a military, just an armed gang that dresses alike.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marko-kloos/keep-in-mind-that-without-the-law-we-re-not-a-military-just-an-armed/) [Marko Kloos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marko-kloos/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We've had Saudis and Jordanians and Pakistanis who have - and Syrians - who have been involved in armed attacks against coalition forces in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/we-ve-had-saudis-and-jordanians-and-pakistanis-who-have-and-syrians/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Scotland forms a crucial part of our Armed Forces which should not be jeopardised by rushed cuts or a rush to the exit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hammond/scotland-forms-a-crucial-part-of-our-armed-forces-which-should-not-be/) [Philip Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hammond/) > [For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/for-an-unarmed-man-may-be-attacked-with-greater-confidence-than-an/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Moroccan traffic isn't like normal traffic. It's armed combat, a war of wills, in which only the very bravest have a chance to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-shah/moroccan-traffic-isn-t-like-normal-traffic-it-s-armed-combat-a-war-of/) [Tahir Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-shah/) > [I have deep respect for our armed forces and jawans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-kumaraswamy/i-have-deep-respect-for-our-armed-forces-and-jawans/) [H. D. Kumaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-kumaraswamy/) > [“Neither the Russians nor the Americans were the cleverest people, or the most experienced, in the world that followed 1945. The French were rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-fehrenbach-2/neither-the-russians-nor-the-americans-were-the-cleverest-people-or/) [T.R. Fehrenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-fehrenbach-2/) > [These men were religious when the spirit of religion was buried in forms and ceremonies, and when the priesthood had armed itself with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-a-hitchcock/these-men-were-religious-when-the-spirit-of-religion-was-buried-in/) [Ethan A. Hitchcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-a-hitchcock/) > [“How do you have an armed siege without guns?’ ‘She used Olympic standard archery equipment,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livia-day/how-do-you-have-an-armed-siege-without-guns-she-used-olympic-standard/) [Livia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livia-day/) > [A free people ought...to be armed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-free-people-ought-to-be-armed/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The FBI was formed because the gangsters were better armed, better financed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horse/the-fbi-was-formed-because-the-gangsters-were-better-armed-better/) [Michael Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horse/) [Browse all 267 Armed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. 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