6 Quotes & Sayings By Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen was born in 1738 to a Revolutionary War refugee family. At age sixteen, Allen began his apprenticeship as a carpenter and builder at the age of nineteen. In 1767, he married Mary Chard, and moved to Albany, New York. Allen went on to become one of the most successful builders in colonial America Read more

He built many buildings in Albany including the Nassau Tavern, the First Presbyterian Church, and the third floor of the State Capitol Building.

1
Ever since I arrived to a state of manhood, I have felt a sincere passion for liberty. The history of nations doomed to perpetual slavery, in consequence of yielding up to tyrants their natural born liberties, I read with a sort of philosophical horror; so that the first systematical and bloody attempt at Lexington, to enslave America, thoroughly electrified my mind, and fully determined me to take part with my country. Ethan Allen
2
Those who invalidate reason, ought seriously to consider, 'whether they argue against reason, with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principle, that they are laboring to dethrone;' but if they argue without reason, (which, in order to be consistent with themselves, they must do, ) they are out of the reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument. Ethan Allen
3
It is altogether reasonable to conclude that the heavenly bodies, alias worlds, which move or are situate within the circle of our knowledge, as well all others throughout immensity, are each and every one of them possessed or inhabited by some intelligent agents or other, however different their sensations or manners of receiving or communicating their ideas may be from ours, or however different from each other. Ethan Allen
4
While we are under the tyranny of Priests, it will ever be their interest, to invalidate the law of nature and reason, in order to establish systems incompatible therewith. Ethan Allen
5
In those parts of the world where learning and science has prevailed, miracles have ceased; but in those parts of it as are barbarous and ignorant, miracles are still in vogue. Ethan Allen