Thomas Paine

What is called the splendour of a throne is no other than the corruption of the state.

It is made up of a band of parasites, living in luxurious indolence, out of the public taxes.

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.

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

He is never in full natural or political connection with the country, is not responsible for anything, and becomes of age at eighteen years; yet such a person is permitted to form foreign alliances, without even the knowledge of the…

By adopting this method, not only the poverty of the parents will be relieved, but ignorance will be banished from the rising generation, and the number of poor will hereafter become less, because their abilities, by the aid of education…

Whether robbery shall be banished from courts, and wretchedness from countries?

In the country, even in large towns, people have a knowledge of each other, and distress never rises to that extreme height it sometimes does in a metropolis.

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…

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

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.

While despotism warred with despotism, man had no interest in the contest; but in a cause that unites the soldier with the citizen, and nation with nation, the despotism of courts, though it feels the danger and meditates revenge, is…