Thomas Paine: “France being a nation on the continent of Europe, and Britain an island in its neighbourhood, each of them derived…”

The argument changes from hereditary rights to hereditary wisdom; and the question is, Who is the wisest man?

The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.

The Aristocracy had hitherto opposed the despotism of the Court, and affected the language of patriotism; but it opposed it as its rival (as the English Barons opposed King John) and it now opposed the nation from the same motives.

He writes neither in the character of a Frenchman nor an Englishman, but in the fawning character of that creature known in all countries, and a friend to none--a courtier.