Best Nathan Hale Quotes
Nathan Hale Quotes About Death, Last Words, Life, Motivational & Success! American Revolutionary War soldier Nathan Hale was slain for spying by the British in 1776. On June 6, 1755, Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut. The Hales were a notable family that upheld Puritan values and taught their children the importance of education, hard labour, and religious morality. At the urging of his elder brother Enoch, Hale was sent to Yale University, where he studied literature and debate and rose to prominence. He received his degree with honours at eighteen and began teaching in East Haddam and then New London.
Hale was chosen First Lieutenant of the Connecticut militia in July 1775. Contradictory reports indicate he was either a civilian or a teacher during the Siege of Boston. He was promoted to captain in General George Washington’s army in the first month of 1776.
Even though it was highly upon for a gentleman to engage in espionage, Hale enlisted nevertheless, either out of a feeling of duty or because he had never before seen actual combat. But he knew the risks: spies were considered unlawful combatants and were often brutally killed. On September 12, 1776, Hale left Harlem Heights as an itinerant teacher. He likely spent a few days in Huntington impersonating a teacher searching for employment.
On September 16, the British Army met General Washington’s forces at Harlem Heights. At this point, it’s safe to assume that Hale had heard of the British onslaught as well as made his way to New York City to learn as much as possible about the next move of the British Army. In addition to his name and rank, he stated why his presence was behind British lines. On September 22, 1776, Hale was hanged.
Best Nathan Hale Quotes
1. “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. -Nathan Hale
2. “I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary”. -Nathan Hale
3. “I greatly fear some of America’s greatest and most dangerous enemies are such as think themselves her best friends”. -Nathan Hale
4. “Shun all vice, especially card playing”. -Nathan Hale
5. “It is the duty of every good officer to obey any orders given him by his commander in chief”. -Nathan Hale
6. “I have but one life to live for my country” -Nathan Hale
7. “One has indeed personally to come under the shadow of war to feel fully its oppression… by 1918 all but one of my close friends were dead.” J.R.R. Tolkien” -Nathan Hale
8. “There is no god of war. War is built and controlled by human hands–humans start it, humans stop it.”-Nathan Hale
9. “Liberty? Independence? Are they to remain only words? Gentlemen, let us make them fighting words!”-Nathan Hale
