Quotes by

Thomas Paine

Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter we are known at home, by the former to the world. Our great title is AMERICANS — our inferior one varies with the place. – Thomas Paine

The final event to himself has been, that as he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick. – Thomas Paine

These are the times that try mens souls. – Thomas Paine

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

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

War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end it has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes. – Thomas Paine

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. – Thomas Paine

Time makes more converts than reason. – Thomas Paine

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. – Thomas Paine

Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles he can only discover them. – Thomas Paine

Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true. – Thomas Paine

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

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

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. – Thomas Paine

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

We have it in our power to begin the world over again. – Thomas Paine

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. – Thomas Paine

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

Human nature is not of itself vicious. – Thomas Paine

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