Quotes by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theor

Alive from: 1737-1809

Category: Politics | Philosophers

Quotes 1 till 15 of 48.

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  What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

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  When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.

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  A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.

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  Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
  

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  A bad cause will never be supported by bad means and bad men.

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  A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

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  All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

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  Character is much easier kept than recovered.
  

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  Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad.

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  Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'Tis time to part.

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  Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

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  He is not affected by the reality of distress touching his heart, but by the showy resemblance of it striking his imagination. He pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird.

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  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.

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  Human nature is not of itself vicious.

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  I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.