We have heard much clamor of national savings and economy; but surely the true economy would be, to save the whole charge of a silly, foolish, and headstrong war; because, compared with this, all other retrenchments are baubles and trifles.
Paine argues that the greatest national economy would be to avoid a foolish war, rendering other savings insignificant.
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It serves to keep up deceitful expectations which prevent people from looking into the defects and abuses of government.
Peace, which costs nothing, is attended with infinitely more advantage, than any victory with all its expense.
Where these can have the opportunity of acting, opposition dies with fear, or crumbles away by conviction.
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?