Thomas Paine quotes show a forward-thinking man who believed in a democratic government that provided equal rights to all. While he lived during the late 1700s, his quotes withstand the test of time, reflecting firm a firm sense of right and wrong.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense was the most popular pamphlet published in America's Colonial Era, and is widely credited with building support for the Revolutionary War. Paine was a deeply religious man, but one who railed against injustices in organized religion just as strongly has he attacked corrupt government institutions.
Notable Thomas Paine Quotes
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
Long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
These are the times that try men's souls.
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.
An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true.
It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.
Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants is the liberty of appearing.
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad.
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them.
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
My mind is my own church.
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.
Human nature is not of itself vicious.
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.
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.
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.
The purpose of Thomas Paine's Common Sense was to inspire the American colonists to break ties with England. Learn why this work became a major part of the movement for American independence. |
The Thomas Paine biography tells the story of a free-thinking man from a humble background who became a major figure in two political revolutions. |
Learn the purpose of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, read Thomas Paine quotes and discover details from the Thomas Paine biography. |
