Thomas Paine

On the contrary, Government, in a well-constituted republic, requires no belief from man beyond what his reason can give.

Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

Reason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind.

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

They form a common policy throughout Europe, detached and separate from the interest of Nations: and while they appear to quarrel, they agree to plunder.

He writes neither in the character of a Frenchman nor an Englishman, but in the fawning character of that creature known in all countries, and a friend to none--a courtier.

The devotees and penitent debauchees, extortioners and misers of former days, to ensure themselves a better world than that they were about to leave, had bequeathed immense property in trust to the priesthood for pious uses; and the…

The only chasm was that the extinction of despotism had left, and which was to be filled up with the Constitution more formidable in resources than the power which had expired.

In a country of such vast extent and population as France the natural means cannot be wanting, and the political means appear the instant the nation is disposed to permit them.

A government may be said to be insolvent every time it applies to the nation to discharge its arrears.

Among others, it shows that a government may be in a state of insolvency and a nation rich.

The instance of France under the former Government shows that it is impossible to compel the payment of taxes by force, when a whole nation is determined to take its stand upon that ground.