Thomas Paine: “But if your attachment to the guilty is stronger than to the innocent…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1776

But if your attachment to the guilty is stronger than to the innocent, you invent a crime that must destroy your character, and if the cause of your king needs to be so supported, for ever cease, sir, to torture our remembrance with the wretched phrases of British honor, British generosity and British clemency.

Said by

Thomas Paine

Source

gutenberg.org

Editor's note · Context

Paine argues that prioritizing the guilty over the innocent destroys one's character and exposes the hypocrisy of claims to honor and clemency.

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Thomas Paine: “But if your attachment to the guilty is stronger than to the innocent, you invent a crime that must destroy your…”

Editor's note · Context