Thomas Paine

As the barbarism of the present old governments expires, the moral conditions of nations with respect to each other will be changed.

There is a morning of reason rising upon man on the subject of government, that has not appeared before.

The best constitution that could now be devised, consistent with the condition of the present moment, may be far short of that excellence which a few years may afford.

That which is worth following, will be followed for the sake of its worth, and it is in this that its security lies, and not in any conditions with which it may be encumbered.

The Rights of Man are the rights of all generations of men, and cannot be monopolised by any.

While the enemy of liberty was its judge, the progress of its principles must have been small indeed.

Hitherto it has been the mere exercise of power, which forbade all effectual enquiry into rights, and grounded itself wholly on possession.

To conclude this part of the subject:--One of the greatest improvements that have been made for the perpetual security and progress of constitutional liberty, is the provision which the new constitutions make for occasionally revising…

Make government what it ought to be, and it will support itself.

If a government requires the support of oaths, it is a sign that it is not worth supporting, and ought not to be supported.

But whatever apology may be made for oaths at the first establishment of a government, they ought not to be permitted afterwards.

The happiness of a nation is the superior object, and therefore the intention of an oath of allegiance ought not to be obscured by being figuratively taken, to, or in the name of, any person.