The illuminating and divine principle of the equal rights of man (for it has its origin from the Maker of man) relates, not only to the living individuals, but to generations of men succeeding each other.
In "Rights of Man," Paine asserts that the fundamental principle of equal rights applies universally across time and to all individuals.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
Man cannot, properly speaking, make circumstances for his purpose, but he always has it in his power to improve them when they occur, and this was the case in France.
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.
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.