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
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. – Thomas Paine
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil in its worst state, an intolerable one. – Thomas Paine
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. – Thomas Paine
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. This amicable conflict with difficulty helps us to an intimate acquaintance with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations. It will not suffer us to be superficial. – Edmund Burke