On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
The constitution of a country is not the act of its government, but of the people constituting its government.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThe constitution of a country is not the act of its government, but of the people constituting its government.
In "Rights of Man," Paine asserts that a nation's constitution originates from the people, not from the government itself.
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I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.
But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.
If, therefore, the good to be obtained be worthy of a passive, rational, and costless revolution, it would be bad policy to prefer waiting for a calamity that should force a violent one.
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.