Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: It is a mode of war that carries with it a confession of weakness, and goes on the principle of distress rather than…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
It is a mode of war that carries with it a confession of weakness, and goes on the principle of distress rather than conquest.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

In "The American Crisis," Paine analyzes the British military strategy, asserting that their approach reveals their underlying weakness rather than strength.

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