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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.

“Those who want to reap the benefits of this great nation must bear the fatigue of supporting it.”

— Thomas Paine

Great

All Quotes by Thomas Paine

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

— Thomas Paine

God

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Smile

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”

— Thomas Paine

Power

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

— Thomas Paine

Religion

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

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

— Thomas Paine

Best

“Time makes more converts than reason.”

— Thomas Paine

Time

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Men

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

— Thomas Paine

Nature

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Men

“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

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

— Thomas Paine

Motivational

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

— Thomas Paine

Good

“'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