But if either or both of the two former are raised too high, or heated too much, the judgment will be jostled from his seat, and the whole matter, however important in itself, will diminish into a pantomime of the mind, in which we create images that promote no other purpose than amusement.
Paine warns that excessive emotion can cloud judgment and reduce important matters to mere entertainment in the mind.
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A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.
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.
It was become evident, that no constitution, worthy of being called by that name, could be established on anything less than a national ground.
Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.