Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: It is impossible to practise a bad form on anything but a bad principle.

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
It is impossible to practise a bad form on anything but a bad principle.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

In "Rights of Man," Paine argues that flawed governmental structures can only arise from and be sustained by flawed foundational principles.

Share

More from Thomas Paine

Jan 1, 1791

He pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1791

Nothing can be more terrible to a Court or Courtier than the Revolution of France.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1791

The Parliaments on their part insisted that they had not only a right to remonstrate, but to reject; and on this ground they were always supported by the nation.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1791

The American constitutions were to liberty what a grammar is to language: they define its parts of speech, and practically construct them into syntax.

gutenberg.org