Thomas Paine

It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.

The Aristocracy had hitherto opposed the despotism of the Court, and affected the language of patriotism; but it opposed it as its rival (as the English Barons opposed King John) and it now opposed the nation from the same motives.

Nothing can be more terrible to a Court or Courtier than the Revolution of France.

But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.

It has nothing to dread from attacks; truth has given it an establishment, and time will record it with a name as lasting as his own.

Burke's Book is easily accounted for.--When a man in a wrong cause attempts to steer his course by anything else than some polar truth or principle, he is sure to be lost.

The meaning, then, good people, of all this, is: That government is governed by no principle whatever; that it can make evil good, or good evil, just as it pleases.

A thousand years hence, those who shall live in America or France, will look back with contemplative pride on the origin of their government, and say, This was the work of our glorious ancestors!

The Revolutions of America and France have thrown a beam of light over the world, which reaches into man.

The enormous expense of governments has provoked people to think, by making them feel; and when once the veil begins to rend, it admits not of repair.

The object is not so much the produce of the tax as the justice of the measure.

Man ought to have pride, or shame enough to blush at being thus imposed upon, and when he feels his proper character he will.