The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.
THOMAS PAINEReason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind. If either of these can be rendered sufficiently extensive in a country, the machinery of Government goes easily on. Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
More Thomas Paine Quotes
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There are two distinct classes of men – those who pay taxes and those who receive and live upon taxes.
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A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
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It is important that we should never lose sight of this distinction. We must not confuse the peoples with their governments.
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An army of principles will penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
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Those who expect to reap the blessing of freedom must undertake to support it.
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If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
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One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.
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In Deism our reason and our belief become happily united. The wonderful structure of the universe, and everything we behold in the system of the creation, prove to us, far better than books can do, the existence of a God, and at the same time proclaim His attributes.
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All churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, are simply human inventions. They use fear to enslave us. They are a monopoly for power and profit.
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It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies.
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When it becomes necessary to do a thing, the whole heart and soul should go into the measure, or not attempt it.
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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.
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Virtue is not hereditary.
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Government is best which governs least.
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It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error.
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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.
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You cannot undermine police authority and then complain about rising crime.
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The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.
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For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire.
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The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
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Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
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Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
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When all other rights are taken away, the right of rebellion is made perfect.
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Every person of learning is finally his own teacher.
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Government without a constitution, is a power without a right.
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A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.
THOMAS PAINE