English-American - Writer & Revolutionary|February 9, 1737 - June 8, 1809
50 FAMOUS QUOTES · WRITER & REVOLUTIONARY
Read 50 genuine Thomas Paine quotes from Common Sense, The American Crisis and Rights of Man on liberty, reason, courage and government.
“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”Thomas Paine
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”Thomas Paine
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”Thomas Paine
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”Thomas Paine
“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”Thomas Paine
“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
“It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.”Thomas Paine
“Character is much easier kept than recovered.”Thomas Paine
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”Thomas Paine
“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”Thomas Paine
“When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.”Thomas Paine
“It is the direction and not the magnitude which is to be taken into consideration.”Thomas Paine
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.”Thomas Paine
“Time makes more converts than reason.”Thomas Paine
“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
“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.”Thomas Paine
“Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.”Thomas Paine
“The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.”Thomas Paine
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”Thomas Paine
“Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.”Thomas Paine
“An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.”Thomas Paine
“When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.”Thomas Paine
“Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.”Thomas Paine
“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”Thomas Paine
“I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavouring to make our fellow-creatures happy.”Thomas Paine
English-American - Writer & Revolutionary | February 9, 1737 - June 8, 1809
Thomas Paine (February 9, 1737 – June 8, 1809) was an English-born writer and political activist, born in Thetford, England. After working as a corset maker and tax officer, he met Benjamin Franklin in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1774, just as tensions between Britain and its American colonies were boiling over.
In January 1776 Paine published *Common Sense*, a short pamphlet that argued plainly for American independence and became a best-seller, helping turn public opinion toward revolution. His series *The American Crisis* was read aloud to George Washington's troops during the darkest days of the war. He later defended the French Revolution in *Rights of Man*, was imprisoned in France during the Reign of Terror, and challenged organised religion in *The Age of Reason*, which cost him much of his popularity. He died in New York in 1809. Here are 50 Thomas Paine quotes.
Quick answers about Thomas Paine and these famous quotes.
Thomas Paine was an English-born writer and revolutionary whose pamphlets helped inspire the American Revolution. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, though he never held high office.
*Common Sense* (1776) is a pamphlet arguing in plain language that the American colonies should declare independence from Britain and form a democratic republic. It sold in enormous numbers and helped build support for the Declaration of Independence.
*The American Crisis* is a series of 16 pamphlets Paine wrote during the Revolutionary War. The first, beginning "These are the times that try men's souls," was read to George Washington's troops before they crossed the Delaware River in December 1776.
Paine was elected to France's National Convention but opposed the execution of King Louis XVI. During the Reign of Terror he was arrested and held for about ten months, narrowly escaping the guillotine.
*The Age of Reason* (1794–1807) presents Paine's deist beliefs. He believed in God but rejected organised religion and the idea of revealed scripture, which made him unpopular with many Americans late in his life.
"Lead, follow, or get out of the way" and "The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government" are often credited to Paine, but neither appears in his writings.