T

Thomas Paine

44 quotes

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was an English-born American political activist, philosopher, and revolutionary whose pamphlet *Common Sense* helped ignite the American Revolution. His writings — passionate, accessible, and radical — championed democratic government, human rights, and reason over tradition. Paine's ideas shaped the founding principles of the United States.

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Business

All Quotes by Thomas Paine

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

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

“To establish any mode to abolish war, however advantageous it might be to Nations, would be to take from such Government the most lucrative of its branches.”

— Thomas Paine

Government

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

— Thomas Paine

Motivational

“There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice.”

— Thomas Paine

God

“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one.”

— Thomas Paine

Best

“Time makes more converts than reason.”

— Thomas Paine

Time

“Human nature is not of itself vicious.”

— Thomas Paine

Nature

“Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.”

— Thomas Paine

Religion

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

— Thomas Paine

Men

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Power

“He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third.”

— Thomas Paine

Faith

“It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.”

— Thomas Paine

Truth

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Business

“The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.”

— Thomas Paine

Government

“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”

— Thomas Paine

Peace

“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.”

— Thomas Paine

Anger

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

— Thomas Paine

Religion

“Persecution is not an original feature in any religion but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.”

— Thomas Paine

Religion

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Good

“These are the times that try men's souls.”

— Thomas Paine

Men