Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: Could the mist of antiquity be cleared away, and men and things be viewed as they really were, it is more than probable…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
Could the mist of antiquity be cleared away, and men and things be viewed as they really were, it is more than probable that they would admire us, rather than we them.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

Paine speculates that if history were viewed objectively, ancient peoples would admire modern achievements more than the reverse.

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