Speech is, in the first place, one of the natural rights of man always retained; and with respect to the National Assembly the use of it is their duty, and the nation is their authority.
Paine declares that freedom of speech is a natural right, and for the National Assembly, exercising it is a duty derived from the nation's authority.
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The argument changes from hereditary rights to hereditary wisdom; and the question is, Who is the wisest man?
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