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Thomas Paine
Quotes by Thomas Paine
Quotes by Thomas Paine
“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”
Thomas Paine
“Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.”
Thomas Paine
“Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.”
Thomas Paine
“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.”
Thomas Paine
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Thomas Paine
“The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”
Thomas Paine
“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.”
Thomas Paine
“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.”
Thomas Paine
“Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.”
Thomas Paine
“I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.”
Thomas Paine
“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.”
Thomas Paine
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.”
Thomas Paine
“Character is much easier kept than recovered.”
Thomas Paine
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
Thomas Paine
“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.”
Thomas Paine
“Those who want to reap the benefits of this great nation must bear the fatigue of supporting it.”
Thomas Paine
“Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.”
Thomas Paine
“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 always a vice.”
Thomas Paine
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”
Thomas Paine
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”
Thomas Paine
“I believe in 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
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
Thomas Paine
“An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.”
Thomas Paine
“Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true.”
Thomas Paine
“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
Thomas Paine
“The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.”
Thomas Paine
“One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.”
Thomas Paine
“These are the times that try men's souls.”
Thomas Paine
“To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not.”
Thomas Paine
“When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.”
Thomas Paine
