--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You ought to be extremely cautious…" description: "\"You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.\" — Patrick Henry" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png" --- # You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of… ![“You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.” quote by Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png) > “You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.” [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 complacency can erode freedoms, urging constant vigilance to protect liberty. **In simple terms:** Freedom requires active defense. Key Takeaway Never assume rights are permanent. Themes freedom vigilance political responsibility rights caution Mood determined cautious urgent Type advice warning political When to use this quote - political activism - judicial reforms - civic education - community organizing Key Concepts civil liberties government overreach personal responsibility Practical Applications - policy advocacy - public awareness campaigns Questions to Reflect On - What habits can safeguard our freedoms? - How does complacency threaten democracy? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cautious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cautious/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Trial by jury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trial-by-jury/) ## Related quotes > [No free people can lose their liberties while they are jealous of liberty. But the liberties of the freest people are in danger when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-phillips/no-free-people-can-lose-their-liberties-while-they-are-jealous-of/) [Wendell Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-phillips/) > [We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/we-must-support-our-rights-or-lose-our-character-and-with-it-perhaps/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [I have been extremely cautious in selecting my films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-dutta/i-have-been-extremely-cautious-in-selecting-my-films/) [Lara Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-dutta/) > [Don't be afraid - if you don't exercise your rights, you will lose them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/don-t-be-afraid-if-you-don-t-exercise-your-rights-you-will-lose-them/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I accept that the Army must do what it thinks it needs to get people to join, but I think they ought to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-accept-that-the-army-must-do-what-it-thinks-it-needs-to-get-people/) [Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/) > [Without the U.S. leading the way in trade negotiations, we likely will see irreversible damage to our environment and widespread abuse of labor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/without-the-u-s-leading-the-way-in-trade-negotiations-we-likely-will/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [I try to operate on two unconnected levels. One on the practical level of action in which I am extremely cautious and conservative. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/i-try-to-operate-on-two-unconnected-levels-one-on-the-practical-level/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [I can't stand by, the Liberal Democrats will not stand by, to see disabled people lose their rights, lose the care they need, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/i-can-t-stand-by-the-liberal-democrats-will-not-stand-by-to-see/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [Defend yourselves! If people don't defend their rights, they lose them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mosley/defend-yourselves-if-people-don-t-defend-their-rights-they-lose-them/) [Max Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mosley/) > [We should be extremely cautious about continuing to increase sentences as a routine response to concerns over crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/we-should-be-extremely-cautious-about-continuing-to-increase/) [David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/) > [Americans want a strong military but one that is extremely cautious about getting involved in war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-hemingway/americans-want-a-strong-military-but-one-that-is-extremely-cautious/) [Mollie Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-hemingway/) > [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/) > [When it comes to sports I am not particularly interested. Generally speaking, I look upon them as dangerous and tiring activities performed by people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/when-it-comes-to-sports-i-am-not-particularly-interested-generally/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [“If the case isn't plea bargained, dismissed or placed on the inactive docket for an indefinite period of time, if by some perverse twist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-simon/if-the-case-isn-t-plea-bargained-dismissed-or-placed-on-the-inactive/) [David Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-simon/) > [Trial by jury. Live wherever you can make a living. How could a government based on such principles fail?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/trial-by-jury-live-wherever-you-can-make-a-living-how-could-a/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) ## More by Patrick Henry > [“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/) [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 Cautious quotes > [When I became successful, I put up a caution. I didn't think it was fair to have the shadow of that kind of success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-i-became-successful-i-put-up-a-caution-i-didn-t-think-it-was/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Having an eating disorder doesn't show ‘strength.’ Strength is when are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/having-an-eating-disorder-doesn-t-show-strength-strength-is-when-are/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [When you jump across a canyon, cautious small steps and vacillation won't work. Sometimes you just have to go for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/when-you-jump-across-a-canyon-cautious-small-steps-and-vacillation/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Fear and caution are two different things. Be cautious - be conscious - but do not be fearful. Fear only paralyzes, while consciousness mobilizes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/fear-and-caution-are-two-different-things-be-cautious-be-conscious/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/while-we-are-contending-for-our-own-liberty-we-should-be-very/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear; The brave may not live forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/courage-is-not-the-absence-of-fear-but-rather-the-judgement-that/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [Americans want a strong military but one that is extremely cautious about getting involved in war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-hemingway/americans-want-a-strong-military-but-one-that-is-extremely-cautious/) [Mollie Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-hemingway/) > [We old roosters must be cautious. Don't try to outwit your arteries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/we-old-roosters-must-be-cautious-don-t-try-to-outwit-your-arteries/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [The more a race is governed by its passions, the less it has acquired the habit of cautious and reasoned argument, the more intense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/the-more-a-race-is-governed-by-its-passions-the-less-it-has-acquired/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [The coward regards himself as cautious, the miser as thrifty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-coward-regards-himself-as-cautious-the-miser-as-thrifty/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [It's kind of an unwritten law, I think, being - carrying the name - George Bush. At times I ask myself, 'Am I going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-p-bush/it-s-kind-of-an-unwritten-law-i-think-being-carrying-the-name-george/) [George P. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-p-bush/) > [I'm not paranoid, but I am cautious. I don't drink tea with strangers, I don't fly Aeroflot and I avoid certain countries with close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/i-m-not-paranoid-but-i-am-cautious-i-don-t-drink-tea-with-strangers-i/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [Candidates should be extremely cautious in displaying a sense of humor. If he or she tells a joke with a point, there is almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-germond/candidates-should-be-extremely-cautious-in-displaying-a-sense-of/) [Jack Germond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-germond/) > [While business advertises, charity is taught to beg. While business motivates with a dollar, charity is told to motivate with guilt. While business takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pallotta/while-business-advertises-charity-is-taught-to-beg-while-business/) [Dan Pallotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pallotta/) [Browse all 501 Cautious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cautious/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Henry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watchful-jealous-of-your-liberty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cautious" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watchful-jealous-of-your-liberty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/832/patrick-henry-3071_cautious_you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watch_77524.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights…” — Patrick Henry", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Patrick Henry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You ought to be extremely cautious,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watchful-jealous-of-your-liberty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/you-ought-to-be-extremely-cautious-watchful-jealous-of-your-liberty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```