The Patriot (2000) quotes

Director
Roland Emmerich.

Cast
Mel Gibson.
Heath Ledger.
Jason Isaacs.

Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.

I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear.
– Benjamin Martin

Kill me before the war is over, will you? It appears that you are not the better man.
– Colonel William Tavington
You’re right. My sons were better men.
– Benjamin Martin

Aim small, miss small.
– Benjamin Martin

There’s a story going around ’bout how some twenty Redcoats got killed by a ghost or some damn thing, carried a Cherokee tomahawk.
– John Billings
Aren’t you a little old to be believing in ghost stories?
– Benjamin Martin

This is not a war for the independence of one or two colonies, but for the independence of one nation.
– Col. Harry Burwell
Tell me, Colonel, what nation is that?
– Capt. Wilkins
An American nation!
– Mr. Howard
There is no such nation, and to speak of one is treason.
– Capt. Wilkins
We ARE citizens of an American nation! And our rights are being threatened by a tyrant three thousand miles away!
– Mr. Howard
Would you tell me please, Mr. Howard, why should I trade one tyrant three thousand miles away for three thousand tyrants one mile away? An elected legislature can trample a man’s rights as easily as a king can.
– Benjamin Martin
Captain Martin, I understood you to be a patriot.
– Col. Harry Burwell
If you mean by patriot, am I angry about taxation without representation, well, yes I am. Should the American colonies govern themselves independently? I believe that they can, and they should. But if you are asking me, am I willing to go to war with England? Well, then the answer is most definately NO!
– Benjamin Martin

You know, it’s an ugly business doing one’s duty… but just occasionally it’s a real pleasure.
– Colonel William Tavington

He cannot be held as a spy.
– Benjamin Martin
Oh, we’re not going to hold him. We’re going to hang him.
– Colonel William Tavington

Before this war is over, I’m going to kill you.
– Benjamin Martin
Why wait?
– Colonel William Tavington

Papa! Papa, don’t, I’ll say anything! Please, papa, I’ll say anything you want, tell me what you want me to say and I’ll say it… Papa please don’t go!
– Susan Martin

I’m a parent. I haven’t got the luxury of principles.
– Benjamin Martin

You have done nothing for which you should be ashamed.
– Charlotte
I have done nothing. And for that I am ashamed.
– Benjamin Martin

 When you have a family of your own, perhaps you’ll understand.
– Benjamin Martin
When I have a family of my own, I won’t hide behind them.
– Gabriel Edward Martin

My Lord, I beseech you. You must order the surrender.
– General O’Hara

Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn’t you say?
– Colonel William Tavington

May I sit with you?
– Benjamin Martin
It’s a free country. Or at least it will be.
– Charlotte

I have seven children. My wife is dead. Now, who’s to care for them if I go to war?
– Benjamin Martin
Wars are not fought only by childless men.
– Col. Harry Burwell