Thomas Paine: “Though it avoids taking to its account the errors it commits, and the mischiefs it occasions, it fails not to arrogate…”

To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.

A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.

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.

The man who is in the receipt of a million a year is the last person to promote a spirit of reform, lest, in the event, it should reach to himself.