Thomas Paine

It was Government dethroning Government; and the old one, by attempting to make a new one, made a chasm.

It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.

The peer and the beggar are often of the same family.

They form a common policy throughout Europe, detached and separate from the interest of Nations: and while they appear to quarrel, they agree to plunder.

But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.

The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.

When it becomes necessary to do anything, the whole heart and soul should go into the measure, or not attempt it.

The argument changes from hereditary rights to hereditary wisdom; and the question is, Who is the wisest man?

The meaning, then, good people, of all this, is: That government is governed by no principle whatever; that it can make evil good, or good evil, just as it pleases.

A thousand years hence, those who shall live in America or France, will look back with contemplative pride on the origin of their government, and say, This was the work of our glorious ancestors!

He pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird.

But when principle, and not place, is the energetic cause of action, a man, I find, is everywhere the same.