It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf.
THOMAS PAINEIt is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf.
THOMAS PAINEWhen extraordinary power and extraordinary pay are allotted to any individual in a government, he becomes the center, round which every kind of corruption generates and forms.
THOMAS PAINEThe mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.
THOMAS PAINEThe harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
THOMAS PAINEAn army of principles will penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
THOMAS PAINEThe right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery, for slavery consists in being subject to the will of another, and he that has not a vote in the election of representatives is in this case.
THOMAS PAINEModeration in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
THOMAS PAINEI believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of humans; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy.
THOMAS PAINEWe repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.
THOMAS PAINEIt is important that we should never lose sight of this distinction. We must not confuse the peoples with their governments.
THOMAS PAINEI prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.
THOMAS PAINEThe real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
THOMAS PAINESome people can be reasoned into sense, and others must be shocked into it.
THOMAS PAINEPractical religion consists in doing good: and the only way of serving God is that of endeavoring to make His creation happy. All preaching that has not this for its object is nonsense and hypocrisy.
THOMAS PAINEIf those to whom power is delegated do well, they will be respected; if not, they will be despised.
THOMAS PAINEThe slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.
THOMAS PAINE