Thomas Paine

Man cannot, properly speaking, make circumstances for his purpose, but he always has it in his power to improve them when they occur, and this was the case in France.

A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.

The American constitutions were to liberty what a grammar is to language: they define its parts of speech, and practically construct them into syntax.

Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.

The mind of the nation had changed beforehand, and the new order of things has naturally followed the new order of thoughts.

It has apparently burst forth like a creation from a chaos, but it is no more than the consequence of a mental revolution priorily existing in France.

All circumstances taken together, the French Revolution is the most astonishing that has hitherto happened in the world.

It cannot be ingrafted on a good one; and wherever the forms in any government are bad, it is a certain indication that the principles are bad also.

It is impossible to practise a bad form on anything but a bad principle.

Forms grow out of principles, and operate to continue the principles they grow from.

The principles harmonise with the forms, and both with their origin.

It must show man the proper character of man; and the nearer it can bring him to that standard, the stronger the National Assembly becomes.