Thomas Paine
Pamphleteer and revolutionary (1737 to 1809), born in Norfolk, England; author of Common Sense, a central text behind the call for American independence, and Rights of Man.
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What they believe
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Tyranny is not easily conquered, but the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
gutenberg.orgSaid 23 Dec 1776This on korrents
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Time changes more minds than reason does
Time makes more converts than reason.
gutenberg.orgSaid 14 Feb 1776This on korrents
The bold line is korrents’ wording; the quote is theirs. These 2: what they wrote before what they said aloud, one per source, newest first.
Beliefs
Korrents What they believe 8 beliefs — each backed by an exact quote.
Each is a — compiled by korrents.com, not by them: the one-line wordings are korrents', the quotes are theirs.
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Tyranny is not easily conquered, but the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
The American Crisis, No. I (1776) Said 23 Dec 1776
We value too lightly what we get too cheaply; only its cost gives a thing its value
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.
The American Crisis, No. I (1776) Said 23 Dec 1776
Time changes more minds than reason does
Time makes more converts than reason.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
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Society is always a blessing, but government is at best a necessary evil and at worst an intolerable one
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; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
One honest man is worth more to society than all the kings who ever lived
Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
Everything right and natural argues for America separating from Britain
Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
Americans have it in their power to begin the world over again
We have it in our power to begin the world over again.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
In a free country the law ought to be king, and there ought to be no other
For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.
Common Sense (new edition, 1776) Said 14 Feb 1776
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