To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.

- Richard Henry Lee

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 …

- Richard Henry Lee

If Parliament may take from me one shilling in the pound, what security have I for the other nineteen?

- Richard Henry Lee

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

- Richard Henry Lee

If the federal constitution is to be construed so far in connection with the state constitutions, as to leave the trial by jury in civil causes, for …

- Richard Henry Lee

The constitution ought to secure a genuine militia and guard against a select militia. ...All regulations tending to render this general militia usel…

- 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.

- Richard Henry Lee

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 crow…

- Richard Henry Lee

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

- Richard Henry Lee