Thomas Paine Quotes

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

But such is the irresistable nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants is the liberty of appearing.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.

There are two distinct classes of what are called thoughts: those that we produce in ourselves by reflection and the act of thinking and those that bolt into the mind of their own accord.

Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed. If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bare; if you thrust it down to your feet, your shoulders are uncovered.

Human nature is not of itself vicious.

One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

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

To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not.

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.

My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

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

Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities.