Who said “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I…”?

Verified

Patrick Henry. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech in the Second Virginia Convention (1775), March 23, 1775.

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“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.”
— Patrick Henry
VerifiedSpeech in the Second Virginia Convention (1775), March 23, 1775. · evidenceExperience

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech in the Second Virginia Convention (1775), March 23, 1775..

APA

Henry, P. (n.d.). I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15488-i-have-but-one-lamp-by-which-my/

MLA

Henry, Patrick. “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15488-i-have-but-one-lamp-by-which-my/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Henry, Patrick. “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15488-i-have-but-one-lamp-by-which-my/.

Related quotes

“Deep experience is never peaceful.”
— Henry James
Verifiedde Mauves, Galaxy Magazine (February/March 1874), ch. V, reprinted in A Passionate Pilgrim (1875) and later in The Madonna of the Future and Other Tales (1879) and the New York Edition of James' works, vol. 13 (1908) · evidenceDetails & citeExperience

More quotes by Patrick Henry

“I know of know way of judging the future but by the past.”
Future
“Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.”
Freedom
“For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it.”
Planning
“I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion.”
Christians and Christianity
“Religion I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give to them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one cent, they would be rich. If they have not that, and I had given them the world, they would be poor.”
Religion
“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”
DisputedNo reliable early source found for Patrick Henry. · evidenceDetails & citeLiberty
All 8 Patrick Henry quotes →