Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: When the governing passion of any man, or set of men, is once known, the method of managing them is easy; for even…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
When the governing passion of any man, or set of men, is once known, the method of managing them is easy; for even misers, whom no public virtue can impress, would become generous, could a heavy tax be laid upon covetousness.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

In "The American Crisis," this passage discusses the ease of managing people once their dominant motivations are understood, even suggesting how to make misers generous.

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