Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: Public measures appeal of themselves to the understanding of the Nation, and, resting on their own merits, disown any…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
Public measures appeal of themselves to the understanding of the Nation, and, resting on their own merits, disown any flattering applications to vanity.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

From his work "Rights of Man," Paine describes how public policy in a true republic should be judged on its merits rather than through manipulation.

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