Had Britain been defeated by any European power, her pride would have drawn consolation from the importance of her conquerors; but in the present case, she is excelled by those that she affected to despise, and her own opinions retorting upon herself, become an aggravation of her disgrace.
In "The American Crisis," Paine analyzes how Britain's defeat by its colonies, whom it despised, intensifies its humiliation.
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The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.