Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Quotes

• Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

• These are the times that try men's souls.

• Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

• What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly... it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.

• All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

• Whenever we read the obscene stories, voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortous executions, the unrelenting vindictivenes, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistant that we called it the word of a Demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind, and, for my part, I sincerly detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.

• When my country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir.

• It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government.

• When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember, that virtue is not hereditary.

• But where, says some, is the king of America? I’ll tell you friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the royal brute of Britain, Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be place thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other.

• Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness.

• He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

• I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

• We fight not to enslave, but to set a country free, and to make room upon the earth for honest men to live in.

• The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

• Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad.

• When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

• He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

• The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

• All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.