Thomas Paine

All the European governments (France now excepted) are constructed not on the principle of universal civilisation, but on the reverse of it.

It lies not in any natural defect in the principles of civilisation, but in preventing those principles having a universal operation; the consequence of which is, a perpetual system of war and expense, that drains the country, and defeats…

But, however our imagination may be impressed by painting and comparison, it is nevertheless true, that a great portion of mankind, in what are called civilised countries, are in a state of poverty and wretchedness, far below the condition…

When, instead of this, it operates to create and increase wretchedness in any of the parts of society, it is on a wrong system, and reformation is necessary.

Whatever the form or constitution of government may be, it ought to have no other object than the general happiness.

From a small spark, kindled in America, a flame has arisen not to be extinguished.

For what we can foresee, all Europe may form but one great Republic, and man be free of the whole.

Need we any other proof of their wretched management, than the excess of debts and taxes with which every nation groans, and the quarrels into which they have precipitated the world?

Government ought to be as much open to improvement as anything which appertains to man, instead of which it has been monopolised from age to age, by the most ignorant and vicious of the human race.

It has received its death-wound; and though it may linger, it will expire.

The trade of courts is beginning to be understood, and the affectation of mystery, with all the artificial sorcery by which they imposed upon mankind, is on the decline.

It shows that man, were he not corrupted by governments, is naturally the friend of man, and that human nature is not of itself vicious.