On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
Hitherto it has been the mere exercise of power, which forbade all effectual enquiry into rights, and grounded itself wholly on possession.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “Hitherto it has been the mere exercise of power, which forbade all effectual enquiry into rights, and grounded itself…”
Editor's note · Context
From "Rights of Man," Paine critiques past forms of government that relied solely on power and possession rather than a foundation of rights.
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