Thomas Paine quotes - page 11

I speak an open and disinterested language, dictated by no passion but that of humanity. (Thomas Paine)
There is an unnatural unfitness in an aristocracy to be legislators for a nation. View quote
Thomas Paine
Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. View quote
Thomas Paine
The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. View quote
Thomas Paine
When the rich plunder the poor of his rights, it becomes an example of the poor to plunder the rich of his property, for the rights of the one are as much property to him as wealth is property to the other and the little all is as dear as the much. It is only by setting out on just principles that men are trained to be just to each other; and it will always be found, that when the rich protect the rights of the poor, the poor will protect the property of the rich. View quote
Thomas Paine
He investigates nothing to its source, and therefore he confounds everything. View quote
Thomas Paine
Men who are sincere in defending their freedom, will always feel concern at every circumstance which seems to make against them. View quote
Thomas Paine
The universe is the bible of a true Theophilanthropist. It is there that he reads of God. View quote
Thomas Paine
Lay then the axe to the root, and teach governments humanity. View quote
Thomas Paine
The Almighty Lecturer, by displaying the principles of science in the structure of the universe, has invited man to study and to imitation. View quote
Thomas Paine
Every principal art has some science for its parent, though the person who mechanically performs the work does not always, and but very seldom, perceive the connection. (Thomas Paine)
In things of this kind it sees something which it calls a natural cause, but none of the causes it sees is the cause of that motion which preserves the solar system. View quote
Thomas Paine
The one is a half-rational of whom there is some hope, the other a visionary to whom we must be charitable. View quote
Thomas Paine
When we look back on the dangers we have been saved from, and reflect on the success we have been blessed with, it would be sinful either to be idle or to despair. View quote
Thomas Paine
It is from a strange mixture of tyranny and cowardice that exclusions have been set up and continued. The boldness to do wrong at first, changes afterwards into cowardly craft, and at last into fear. View quote
Thomas Paine
It is a contradiction in terms and ideas to call anything a revelation that comes to us at second hand, either verbally or in writing. View quote
Thomas Paine
THAT some desperate wretches should be willing to steal and enslave men by violence and murder for gain, is rather lamentable than strange. But that many civilized, nay, christianized people should approve, and be concerned in the savage practice, is surprising. View quote
Thomas Paine
It is in high challenges that high truths have the right of appearing. View quote
Thomas Paine
Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, - and all it wants, - is the liberty of appearing. The sun needs no inscription to distinguish him from darkness. View quote
Thomas Paine
The universe is composed of matter, and, as a system, is sustained by motion. View quote
Thomas Paine
To God, and not to man, are all men to account for their belief. (Thomas Paine)
Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself in all cases as the age and generations which preceded it. View quote
Thomas Paine
Or is the gloomy pride of man become so intolerable, that nothing can flatter it but a sacrifice of the Creator? View quote
Thomas Paine
I care not how affluent some may be, provided that none be miserable in consequence of it. View quote
Thomas Paine
It is never to be expected in a revolution that every man is to change his opinion at the same moment. There never yet was any truth or any principle so irresistibly obvious that all men believed it at once. View quote
Thomas Paine