Wisdom is not the purchase of a day, and it is no wonder that we should err at the first setting off. Thomas Paine More Quotes by Thomas Paine More Quotes From Thomas Paine Aristocracy has a tendency to degenerate the human species. Thomas Paine degenerates aristocracy tendencies It is a general idea, that when taxes are once laid on, they are never taken off. Thomas Paine taxes taken ideas From whence, then, could arise the solitary and strange conceit that the Almighty, who had millions of worlds equally dependant on His protection, should quit the care of all the rest, and come to die in our world, because, they say, one man and one woman had eaten an apple? Thomas Paine apples our-world men THE WORD OF GOD IS THE CREATION WE BEHOLD: And it is in this word, which no human invention can counterfeit or alter, that God speaketh universally to man. Thomas Paine invention creation men Paper money is like dram-drinking, it relieves for a moment by deceitful sensation, but gradually diminishes the natural heat, and leaves the body worse than it found it. Were not this the case, and could money be made of paper at pleasure, every sovereign in Europe would be as rich as he pleased. But the truth is, that it is a bubble and the attempt vanity. Nature has provided the proper materials for money: gold and silver, and any attempt of ours to rival her is ridiculous. Thomas Paine vanity drinking europe It was needless, after this, to say that all was vanity and vexation of spirit; for it is impossible to derive happiness from the company of those whom we deprive of happiness. Thomas Paine vexation vanity spirit Nothing but heaven is impregnable to vice. Thomas Paine vices heaven Wisdom degenerates in governments as governments increase in age. Thomas Paine political government age Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true. Thomas Paine motivation fear children It is a fraud of the Christian system to call the sciences human invention; it is only the application of them that is human. Thomas Paine invention christian science For freemen like brothers agree; With one spirit endured, they one friendship pursued, And their temple was Liberty Tree Thomas Paine liberty brother tree The story of Jesus Christ appearing after he was dead is the story of an apparition, such as timid imaginations can always create in vision, and credulity believe. Stories of this kind had been told of the assassination of Julius Caesar. Thomas Paine imagination believe jesus It is from our enemies that we often gain excellent maxims, and are frequently surprised into reason by their mistakes. Thomas Paine gains mistake enemy He is not affected by the reality of distress touching his heart, but by the showy resemblance of it striking his imagination. He pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird. Thomas Paine imagination heart reality It is a faculty of the human mind to become what it contemplates, and to act in unison with its object. Thomas Paine unison mind philosophy Compassion, the fairest associate of the heart. Thomas Paine condolences heart sympathy We have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the noblest truest constitution on the face of the earth. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. Thomas Paine encouragement faces opportunity America could carry on a two years' war by the confiscation of the property of disaffected persons, and be made happy by their expulsion. Say not that this is revenge, call it rather the soft resentment of a suffering people, who, having no object in view but the good of all, have staked their own all upon a seemingly doubtful event. Yet it is folly to argue against determined hardness; eloquence may strike the ear, and the language of sorrow draw forth the tear of compassion, but nothing can reach the heart that is steeled with prejudice. Thomas Paine revenge heart war Is it because you are sunk in the cruelty of superstition, or feel no interest in the honor of your Creator, that you listen to the horrid tales of the Bible, or hear them with callous indifference? Thomas Paine superstitions indifference honor 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
