Thomas Paine

The argument changes from hereditary rights to hereditary wisdom; and the question is, Who is the wisest man?

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.

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.

The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.

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

Their fear discovers itself in their outrage, and they are but publishing the groans of a wounded vice.

It stares corruption in the face, and the venal tribe are all alarmed.

Do not its own inhabitants say it is a market where every man has his price, and where corruption is common traffic at the expense of a deluded people?

What are the present Governments of Europe but a scene of iniquity and oppression?

Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.

A Declaration of Rights is, by reciprocity, a Declaration of Duties also.

It Should be the same to all, whether it protects or punishes; and all being equal in its sight, are equally eligible to all Honours, Places, and employments, according to their different abilities, without any other distinction than that…