It affords to them pretences for power, and revenue, for which there would be neither occasion nor apology, if the circle of civilisation were rendered complete.
Thomas Paine: “It affords to them pretences for power, and revenue, for which there would be neither occasion nor apology, if the…”
On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Paine argues that uncivilized international relations provide governments with pretexts for power and revenue that would otherwise be unnecessary.
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