Thomas Paine: “Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as…”

When men unite in agreeing that a thing is good, could it be obtained, such for instance as relief from a burden of taxes and the extinction of corruption, the object is more than half accomplished.

Discussion and the general will arbitrates the question, and to this, private opinion yields with a good grace, and order is preserved uninterrupted.

As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.

Reason and discussion, persuasion and conviction, become the weapons in the contest, and it is only when those are attempted to be suppressed that recourse is had to violence.