Thomas Paine

The obscurity in which the origin of all the present old governments is buried, implies the iniquity and disgrace with which they began.

The origin of the present government of America and France will ever be remembered, because it is honourable to record it; but with respect to the rest, even Flattery has consigned them to the tomb of time, without an inscription.

They alternately invaded the dominions which each had assigned to himself, and the brutality with which they treated each other explains the original character of monarchy.

The conqueror considered the conquered, not as his prisoner, but his property.

From such beginning of governments, what could be expected but a continued system of war and extortion?

There does not exist within such governments sufficient stamina whereon to engraft reformation; and the shortest and most effectual remedy is to begin anew on the ground of the nation.

I know the value of moral instruction, and I have seen the danger of the contrary.

In short, we cannot conceive a more ridiculous figure of government, than hereditary succession, in all its cases, presents.

Passing over, for the present, all the evils and mischiefs which monarchy has occasioned in the world, nothing can more effectually prove its uselessness in a state of civil government, than making it hereditary.

Man has no authority over posterity in matters of personal right; and, therefore, no man, or body of men, had, or can have, a right to set up hereditary government.

To inherit a government, is to inherit the people, as if they were flocks and herds.

It is by adding the evil of hereditary succession to that of monarchy, that a permanent family interest is created, whose constant objects are dominion and revenue.