Thomas Paine on critical thought and freedom

When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. 

~ Thomas Paine, Reflections on Titles (1775)

Thomas Paine
1965-1968

Thomas Paine on politicians

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on value of freedom

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on patriotism

It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on America's neutrality

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 trade with them.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine: "These are the times that try men's souls"

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 by 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 every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.

~ Thomas Paine, "The Crisis," December 23, 1776

Thomas Paine on the euphemism for taxation

What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on war and taxes

War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen and unsupposed circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end. It has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on whitewashing by historians

Uncritical reverence for the Founding Fathers was less ubiquitous while they actually lived.... 'The Reign of Terror that raged in America during the latter end of the Washington Administration, and the whole of that of Adams, is enveloped in mystery to me. That there were men in the Government hostile to the representative system, was once their toast, though it is now their overthrow, and therefore the fact is established against them...

~ Thomas Paine

George Washington and John Adams

Thomas Paine on pursuit of principle

'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

Thomas Paine on freedom and responsibility

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

~ Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, no. 1, December 23, 1776

Thomas Paine on putting a price on freedom

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.

~ Thomas Paine, "The Crisis," December 23, 1776

Thomas Paine on reputation and character

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on defending freedom

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

Thomas Paine on government

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on character

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

~ Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine on moderation

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