Mankind are not now to be told they shall not think, or they shall not read; and publications that go no farther than to investigate principles of government, to invite men to reason and to reflect, and to show the errors and excellences of different systems, have a right to appear.
In "Rights of Man," Paine argues for the inherent right of individuals to think and read freely, and for publications to investigate governmental principles.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.
But the spirit of the nation was not to be overcome, and it was so fully sensible of the strong ground it had taken--that of withholding taxes--that it contented itself with keeping up a sort of quiet resistance, which effectually…
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.