On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether it be done by an individual villain, or an army of them?
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether…”
Editor's note · Context
Paine argues that the moral character of an action, particularly an oppressive one, should be judged independently of the perpetrator's status or origin.
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Jan 1, 1791
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?
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I have carefully avoided to enlarge upon the subject, because I am inclined to believe that what is called the present ministry, wish to see contentions about religion kept up, to prevent the nation turning its attention to subjects of…
Jan 1, 1791
But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.