Thomas Paine quotes - page 2

But when the country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir. (Thomas Paine)
Time makes more converts than reason. View quote
Thomas Paine
To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. View quote
Thomas Paine
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. View quote
Thomas Paine
Character is much easier kept than recovered. View quote
Thomas Paine
Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. View quote
Thomas Paine
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. View quote
Thomas Paine
When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. View quote
Thomas Paine
The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum. View quote
Thomas Paine
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason. View quote
Thomas Paine
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. (Thomas Paine)
When it becomes necessary to do anything, the whole heart and soul should go into the measure, or not attempt it. View quote
Thomas Paine
The study of theology, as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of nothing it is founded on nothing it rests on no principles it proceeds by no authority it has no data it can demonstrate nothing and it admits of no conclusion. View quote
Thomas Paine
Hereditary succession has no claim. For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have the right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and tho' himself might deserve some decent degree of honours of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them. View quote
Thomas Paine
Men did not make the earth... It is the value of the improvements only, and not the earth itself, that is individual property... Every proprietor owes to the community a ground rent for the land which he holds. View quote
Thomas Paine
It is the duty of every man, so far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error. View quote
Thomas Paine
When I contemplate the natural dignity of man, when I feel (for Nature has not been kind enough to me to blunt my feelings) for the honour and happiness of its character, I become irritated at the attempt to govern mankind by force and fraud, as if they were all knaves and fools, and can scarcely avoid disgust at those who are thus imposed upon. View quote
Thomas Paine
When it shall be said in any country in the world, my poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am a friend of its happiness: When these things can be said, then may the country boast of its constitution and its government. View quote
Thomas Paine
To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. View quote
Thomas Paine
That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. View quote
Thomas Paine
In the early ages of the world, according to the Scripture chronology there were no kings; the consequence of which was, there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throws mankind into confusion. (Thomas Paine)
I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe the equality of man, and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavouring to make our fellow creatures happy. View quote
Thomas Paine
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. View quote
Thomas Paine
Small islands not capable of protecting themselves are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island. View quote
Thomas Paine
Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess. View quote
Thomas Paine