“SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered, and the easier repaired when disordered.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of heredetary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“The more men have to lose, the less willing are they to venture.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expence and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh, ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
“THE MORE MEN HAVE TO LOSE THE LESS THEY ARE WILLING TO VENTURE” IS WHAT AILS US NOW.
What general will risk his 6 figure retirement to enter into any conspiracy that would be considered treasonous by the Emperor and his legions?