The obscurity in which the origin of all the present old governments is buried, implies the iniquity and disgrace with which they began.
Thomas Paine: “The obscurity in which the origin of all the present old governments is buried, implies the iniquity and disgrace with…”
Editor's note · Context
In "Rights of Man," Paine suggests that the lack of clear historical records for old governments indicates their disreputable and unjust foundations.
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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.
Why may we not suppose, that the great Father of all is pleased with variety of devotion; and that the greatest offence we can act, is that by which we seek to torment and render each other miserable?
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.
When men unite in agreeing that a thing is good, could it be obtained, such for instance as relief from a burden of taxes and the extinction of corruption, the object is more than half accomplished.