Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: A German Elector is in his electorate a despot; how then could it be expected that he should be attached to principles…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
A German Elector is in his electorate a despot; how then could it be expected that he should be attached to principles of liberty in one country, while his interest in another was to be supported by despotism?
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

In "Rights of Man," Paine questions how a monarch who rules despotically in one territory can genuinely support liberty in another.

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