Thomas Paine

Reason, like time, will make its own way, and prejudice will fall in a combat with interest.

If systems of government can be introduced less expensive and more productive of general happiness than those which have existed, all attempts to oppose their progress will in the end be fruitless.

It watches prosperity as its prey, and permits none to escape without a tribute.

Invention is continually exercised to furnish new pretences for revenue and taxation.

If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the…

He sees his species, not with the inhuman idea of a natural enemy, but as kindred; and the example shows to the artificial world, that man must go back to Nature for information.

As America was the only spot in the political world where the principle of universal reformation could begin, so also was it the best in the natural world.

She made a stand, not for herself only, but for the world, and looked beyond the advantages herself could receive.

The independence of America, considered merely as a separation from England, would have been a matter but of little importance, had it not been accompanied by a revolution in the principles and practice of governments.

The sun needs no inscription to distinguish him from darkness; and no sooner did the American governments display themselves to the world, than despotism felt a shock and man began to contemplate redress.

But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks,--and all it wants,--is the liberty of appearing.

Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.