Thomas Paine

Why are not Republics plunged into war, but because the nature of their Government does not admit of an interest distinct from that of the Nation?

As war is the system of Government on the old construction, the animosity which Nations reciprocally entertain, is nothing more than what the policy of their Governments excites to keep up the spirit of the system.

Each Government accuses the other of perfidy, intrigue, and ambition, as a means of heating the imagination of their respective Nations, and incensing them to hostilities.

Man is not the enemy of man, but through the medium of a false system of Government.

Instead, therefore, of exclaiming against the ambition of Kings, the exclamation should be directed against the principle of such Governments; and instead of seeking to reform the individual, the wisdom of a Nation should apply itself to…

It is an age of Revolutions, in which everything may be looked for.

For my own part I think it equally as injurious to good principles to permit them to linger, as to push them on too fast.

Mankind, as it appears to me, are always ripe enough to understand their true interest, provided it be presented clearly to their understanding, and that in a manner not to create suspicion by anything like self-design, nor offend by…

Where we would wish to reform we must not reproach.

But when principle, and not place, is the energetic cause of action, a man, I find, is everywhere the same.

A great field was opening to the view of mankind by means of the French Revolution.

It must now take the substantial ground of character, instead of the chimerical ground of titles; and they have brought their titles to the altar, and made of them a burnt-offering to Reason.