On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
We are not now contending against an army of soldiers, but against a band of thieves, who had rather plunder than fight, and have no other hope of conquest than by cruelty.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “We are not now contending against an army of soldiers, but against a band of thieves, who had rather plunder than fight…”
Editor's note · Context
In "The American Crisis," Paine redefines the nature of the conflict, portraying the British forces as plunderers rather than honorable soldiers.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
Jan 1, 1791
As soldiers have hitherto been treated in most countries, they might be said to be without a friend.
Jan 1, 1791
I presume, that though all the people of England pay taxes, not an hundredth part of them are electors, and the members of one of the houses of parliament represent nobody but themselves.
Jan 1, 1791
It is a great standing which they have now universally obtained; and we may hereafter hope to see revolutions, or changes in governments, produced with the same quiet operation by which any measure, determinable by reason and discussion…
Jan 1, 1791
There is, therefore, no power but the voluntary will of the people that has a right to act in any matter respecting a general reform; and by the same right that two persons can confer on such a subject, a thousand may.