Influence on the American Revolution

[Engineer shooting]

Cato, a Tragedy a play written by Joseph Addison in 1712. The play was almost certainly a literary inspiration for the American Revolution, being well known to many of the Founding Fathers. George Washington had it performed for the Continental Army while they were encamped at Valley Forge.

Patrick Henry's famous ultimatum: "Give me Liberty or give me death!"

(Act II, Scene 4: "It is not now time to talk of aught/But chains or conquest, liberty or death.").

Nathan Hale's valediction: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

(Act IV, Scene 4: "What a pity it is/That we can die but once to serve our country.").

George Washington's praise for Benedict Arnold in a letter to him: "It is not in the power of any man to command success; but you have done more--you have deserved it."

George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 29 October 1775. ... "but it is not in our power to Command Success, tho' it is always our duty to deserve it."

John Adams in letter to wife: "We cannot insure success, but we can deserve it."

(Act I, Scene 2: "'Tis not in mortals to command success; but we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it.").

[TaosGlock]

Given the fact the Founders listed above were extremely well educated, most "home schooled" (using modern verbaige), I am not surprised.
Thanks for finding that!