Government is a necessary evil Thomas Paine More Quotes by Thomas Paine More Quotes From Thomas Paine The aristocracy are not the farmers who work the land, and raise the produce, but are the mere consumers of the rent; and when compared with the active world, are the drones, a seraglio of males, who neither collect the honey nor form the hive, but exist only for lazy enjoyment. Thomas Paine males lazy land Mutual fear is a principal link in the chain of mutual love. Thomas Paine mutual-love links fear The Almighty implanted in us these inextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of His image in our heart. They distinguish us from the herd of common animals. Thomas Paine wise heart animal Public money ought to be touched with the most scrupulous consciousness of honor. Thomas Paine politics political honor The stupid texts of the Bible - from which, be the talents of the preacher what they may, only stupid sermons can be preached. Thomas Paine stupid may bible I detest the Bible as I detest everything that is cruel. Thomas Paine detest atheism religion In Deism our reason and our belief become happily united. The wonderful structure of the universe, and everything we behold in the system of the creation, prove to us, far better than books can do, the existence of a God, and at the same time proclaim His attributes. Thomas Paine belief wonderful book Those who knew Benjamin Franklin will recollect that his mind was forever young, his temper ever serene; science, that never grows gray, was always his mistress. He was never without an object, for when we cease to have an object, we become like an invalid in a hospital waiting for death. Thomas Paine waiting forever life There is no greater tyranny than that of the dead over the living. Thomas Paine greater tyranny The error of those who reason by precedents drawn from antiquity, respecting the rights of man, is that they do not go far enough into antiquity. Thomas Paine errors rights men The Christian religion and Masonry have one and the same common origin: Both are derived from the worship of the Sun. The difference between their origin is, that the Christian religion is a parody on the worship of the Sun, in which they put a man whom they call Christ, in the place of the Sun, and pay him the same adoration which was originally paid to the Sun. Thomas Paine differences christian men Take away from Genesis the belief that Moses was the author, on which only the strange believe that it is the word of God has stood, and there remains nothing of Genesis but an anonymous book of stories, fables, and traditionary or invented absurdities, or of downright lies. Thomas Paine believe book lying Every proprietor owes to the community a ground-rent for the land which he holds. Thomas Paine community land There is something in meanness which excites a species of resentment that never subsides, and something in cruelty which stirs up the heart to the highest agony of human hatred. Thomas Paine agony hatred heart The most extraordinary of all the things called miracles, related in the New Testament, is that of the devil flying away with Jesus Christ, and carrying him to the top of a high mountain; and to the top of the highest pinnacle of the temple, and showing him and promising to him all the kingdoms of the world . How happened it that he did not discover America? or is it only with kingdoms that his sooty highness has any interest. Thomas Paine miracle america jesus There is a natural firmness in some minds, which cannot be unlocked by trifles, but which, when unlocked, discovers a cabinet of fortitude. Thomas Paine fortitude cabinets mind There never did, there never will, and there never can exist a parliament, or any description of men, or any generation of men, in any country, possessed of the right or the power of binding and controlling posterity to the 'end of time,' or of commanding for ever how the world shall be governed, or who shall govern it. Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself, in all cases, as the ages and generations which preceded it. Thomas Paine age men country But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is the distinction of men into kings and subjects. Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth inquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind. Thomas Paine religious kings mean The art of publicity is a black art; but it has come to stay, and every year adds to its potency. Thomas Paine black years art The times that tried men's souls are over-and the greatest and completest revolution the world ever knew, gloriously and happily accomplished. Thomas Paine soul men world
