Patrick McHenry Quotes

It is the obligation of every government to yield protection to their citizens as the consideration for their obedience

A man may be loyal to his government and yet oppose the particular principles and methods of administration.

To a reluctant admission of the necessity for State action, we join a burning belief in duty.

To speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.

The object of Socialism is not to render the individual capable of living on his personal resources. That is the theory of radical individualism. Its object is to create in him a greater and greater sense of his dependence upon the state, and, at the same time, to inculcate in him the conviction that he is a part of it and that he has a duty and responsibility toward the state; and that only in so far as he fulfills this duty can he benefit by the advantages of a complete personal and social life.

...no country can be well governed unless its citizens as a body keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law and that the law officers are only the machinery for its execution, nothing more.

Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You didn't place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible.

An actual residence of such a length of time as would give a man an opportunity of esteeming the Government from knowing its intrinsic value, was essentially necessary to assure us of a man’s becoming a good citizen.

Politics is the art of stopping people from minding their own business.

… by consenting with others to make one body-politic under government, a man puts himself under an obligation to every one of that society to submit to the determination of the majority, and to be concluded by it.

I freely acknowledge myself the servant of the people, according to the bond of service -- the United States Constitution; and that, as such, I am responsible to them.

I have no love for American politics..

The American Government will be what we all make of it.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.

If you believe in democracy, than you can't trash it by being cynical about the people who do democracy: the politicians.

We're not Democrats first. We're not Republicans first. We're Americans first. We're patriots first.

I have always been very open about my respect for public service.

You take an oath to defend the constitution. Congress is the next chapter of our national service. We pledged an oath to defend the constitution and that means working together to make our constituents' lives better.

As lawmakers, we swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

When I was sworn into office, I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and I take that responsibility very seriously.

I'm a person who's always been interested in politics and thought it was a very noble occupation.

I'm passionate about politics.

Government is the people's business and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of tax paid.

It has been well said that 'he who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.' The two are not the same, but the good citizen ought to be capable of both; he should know how to govern like a freeman, and how to obey like a freeman - these are the virtues of a citizen.

I'm a patriot, and I think democracy is the best system available. It's very flawed, but it works better than anything else.