Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: What they have gained in ground, they paid so dearly for in numbers, that their victories have in the end amounted to…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
What they have gained in ground, they paid so dearly for in numbers, that their victories have in the end amounted to defeats.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

From "The American Crisis," Paine observes that the enemy's territorial gains came at such a high cost in lives that their victories were effectively defeats.

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