Thomas Paine: “Every man is a proprietor in government, and considers it a necessary part of his business to understand.”

In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.

Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.

I know the value of moral instruction, and I have seen the danger of the contrary.

The Aristocracy had hitherto opposed the despotism of the Court, and affected the language of patriotism; but it opposed it as its rival (as the English Barons opposed King John) and it now opposed the nation from the same motives.