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.
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…”
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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If, therefore, the good to be obtained be worthy of a passive, rational, and costless revolution, it would be bad policy to prefer waiting for a calamity that should force a violent one.
In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.
Why may we not suppose, that the great Father of all is pleased with variety of devotion; and that the greatest offence we can act, is that by which we seek to torment and render each other miserable?
I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.