A man's opinions, whether written or in thought, are his own until he pleases to publish them himself; and it is adding cruelty to injustice to make him the author of what future reflection or better information might occasion him to suppress or amend.
Paine asserts the importance of an individual's right to control their own opinions and writings until they choose to share them publicly.
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The animosity of the English nation, it is very well remembered, ran high; and, had the true principles of Liberty been as well understood then as they now promise to be, it is probable the Nation would not have patiently submitted to so…
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.
Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.
It was Government dethroning Government; and the old one, by attempting to make a new one, made a chasm.