Ask the man, who, with his axe, has cleared a way in the wilderness, and now possesses an estate, what made him rich, and he will tell you the labor of his hands, the sweat of his brow, and the blessing of heaven.
Paine illustrates the true source of wealth by imagining a pioneer attributing his prosperity to hard work and divine favor.
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The aristocracy has screened itself too much, and this serves to restore a part of the lost equilibrium.
The argument changes from hereditary rights to hereditary wisdom; and the question is, Who is the wisest man?
It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.
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