On the recordJanuary 1, 1776
Had you been true politicians you would have seen all this, and continued to draw from the magic of a name, the force and authority of a nation.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgThomas Paine: “Had you been true politicians you would have seen all this, and continued to draw from the magic of a name, the force…”
Editor's note · Context
Paine, in "The American Crisis," critiques British politicians for failing to understand the power derived from their nation's reputation.
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Jan 1, 1791
I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.
Jan 1, 1791
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.
Jan 1, 1791
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.
Jan 1, 1791
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.