Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

From his work "Rights of Man," this passage asserts the fundamental purpose of civil society is to enhance, not diminish, individual rights.

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