Thomas Paine: “We are not now contending against an army of soldiers, but against a band of thieves, who had rather plunder than fight…”

In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.

I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.

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

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.