Government with insolence is despotism; but when contempt is added it becomes worse; and to pay for contempt is the excess of slavery.
Thomas Paine: “Government with insolence is despotism; but when contempt is added it becomes worse; and to pay for contempt is the…”
Editor's note · Context
Paine defines the escalating nature of oppressive rule, from insolent government to the ultimate degradation of paying for one's own contempt.
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