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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.

“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

All Quotes by Thomas Paine

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

“That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not.”

— Thomas Paine

God

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Equality

“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

“It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes.”

— Thomas Paine

God

“It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe.”

— Thomas Paine

Happiness

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.”

— Thomas Paine

Smile

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

— Thomas Paine

Men

“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

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

“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

“The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”

— Thomas Paine

Good

“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.”

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

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

— Thomas Paine

Peace

“Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.”

— Thomas Paine

Faith

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

— Thomas Paine

Truth

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

— Thomas Paine

Peace

“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

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