I know not why any plant or herb of the field should be a greater luxury in one country than another; but an overgrown estate in either is a luxury at all times, and, as such, is the proper object of taxation.
In "Rights of Man," Paine argues that excessive wealth, specifically large estates, constitutes a luxury that should be subject to taxation.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
Reason and discussion will soon bring things right, however wrong they may begin.
Nations, like individuals, who have long been enemies, without knowing each other, or knowing why, become the better friends when they discover the errors and impositions under which they had acted.
In contemplating revolutions, it is easy to perceive that they may arise from two distinct causes; the one, to avoid or get rid of some great calamity; the other, to obtain some great and positive good; and the two may be distinguished by…