Thomas Paine

The rights of men in society, are neither devisable or transferable, nor annihilable, but are descendable only, and it is not in the power of any generation to intercept finally, and cut off the descent.

If the present generation, or any other, are disposed to be slaves, it does not lessen the right of the succeeding generation to be free.

A constitution is not a thing in name only, but in fact.

But, after all, what is this metaphor called a crown, or rather what is monarchy?

Does the virtue consist in the metaphor, or in the man?

It appears to be something going much out of fashion, falling into ridicule, and rejected in some countries, both as unnecessary and expensive.

Because aristocracy has a tendency to deteriorate the human species.

If a country does not understand its own affairs, how is a foreigner to understand them, who knows neither its laws, its manners, nor its language?

If I ask a man in America if he wants a King, he retorts, and asks me if I take him for an idiot?

I see in America the generality of people living in a style of plenty unknown in monarchical countries; and I see that the principle of its government, which is that of the equal Rights of Man, is making a rapid progress in the world.

To account for this sudden transition, it is proper to observe that there are two distinct species of popularity; the one excited by merit, and the other by resentment.

If any credit is given, it is to the disposition of the people to pay the tax, and not to the government, which lays it on.