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American Revolution4 quotes
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Thomas Paine · 1776These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. 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 is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated. — Thomas Paine · 1776It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same. — Thomas Paine · 1777It is the object only of war that makes it honorable. And if there was ever a just war since the world began, it is this in which America is now engaged. — Thomas Paine · 1778America3 quotes
The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. — Thomas Paine · 1776Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind. — Thomas Paine · 1776Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them. — Thomas Paine · 1776Monarchy3 quotes
I compare it to something behind a curtain, about which there is a great deal of bustle and fuss, and a wonderful air of seeming solemnity; but when by an accident, the curtain happens to be opened, and the company see what it is, they burst into laughter. — Thomas Paine · 1792Monarchy and succession have laid... The world in blood and ashes. — Thomas Paine · 1776What is called monarchy, always appears to me a silly, contemptible thing. I compare it to something kept behind a curtain, about which there is a great deal of bustle and fuss, and a wonderful air of seeming solemnity; but when, by any accident, the curtain happens to be open, and the company see what it is, they burst into laughter. — Thomas Paine · 1792Political theory2 quotes
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary. — Thomas Paine · 1776He 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. — Thomas Paine · 1795Politics2 quotes
We have it in our power to begin the world over again. — Thomas Paine · 1776Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. — Thomas Paine · 1776Price of freedom2 quotes
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. 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 is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated. — Thomas Paine · 1776Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it. — Thomas Paine · 1777Religion2 quotes
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. — Thomas Paine · 1792Any system of religion that has any thing in it that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true system. — Thomas Paine · 1794Rule of law2 quotes
But where says some is the king of America?...In America the law is king. — Thomas Paine · 1776He 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. — Thomas Paine · 1795Acquiring wisdom1 quote
Wisdom is not the purchase of a day. — Thomas Paine · 1776Adversity1 quote
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. — Thomas Paine · 1776America and the world1 quote
Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them. — Thomas Paine · 1776America as refuge1 quote
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind. — Thomas Paine · 1776Anti-monarchism1 quote
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary. — Thomas Paine · 1776Benefits of adversity1 quote
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. 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 is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated. — Thomas Paine · 1776Changing the world1 quote
We have it in our power to begin the world over again. — Thomas Paine · 1776Citizens of the world1 quote
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. — Thomas Paine · 1792Downsides of government1 quote
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. — Thomas Paine · 1776End justifies the means1 quote
It is the object only of war that makes it honorable. And if there was ever a just war since the world began, it is this in which America is now engaged. — Thomas Paine · 1778Freedom of religion1 quote
As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith. — Thomas Paine · 1776Government1 quote
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. — Thomas Paine · 1776Intellectual integrity1 quote
It is necessary to the happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe. — Thomas Paine · 1794Just war1 quote
It is the object only of war that makes it honorable. And if there was ever a just war since the world began, it is this in which America is now engaged. — Thomas Paine · 1778Moderation1 quote
A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice. — Thomas Paine · 1792Monotheism1 quote
I believe in one God and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy. — Thomas Paine · 1794Moral obligations1 quote
I believe in one God and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy. — Thomas Paine · 1794Moral theory1 quote
A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice. — Thomas Paine · 1792Overcoming adversity1 quote
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. — Thomas Paine · 1776Politeness1 quote
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. — Thomas Paine · 1776Religion and politics1 quote
As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith. — Thomas Paine · 1776Religious persecution1 quote
Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly-marked feature of all law-religions, or religions established by law. — Thomas Paine · 1791