On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
What were formerly called Revolutions, were little more than a change of persons, or an alteration of local circumstances.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgWhat were formerly called Revolutions, were little more than a change of persons, or an alteration of local circumstances.
In "Rights of Man," Paine distinguishes earlier historical revolutions as mere shifts in leadership or local conditions, lacking fundamental systemic change.
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Reason and discussion, persuasion and conviction, become the weapons in the contest, and it is only when those are attempted to be suppressed that recourse is had to violence.
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.
In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.