On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
It is impossible that such governments as have hitherto existed in the world, could have commenced by any other means than a total violation of every principle sacred and moral.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “It is impossible that such governments as have hitherto existed in the world, could have commenced by any other means…”
Editor's note · Context
In "Rights of Man," Paine asserts that the historical origins of existing governments were inherently immoral and violated fundamental principles.
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To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.
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