Every government that does not act on the principle of a republic, or in other words, that does not make the res publica its whole and sole object, is not a good government.
~Thomas Paine
They form a common policy, detached and separate from the interest of the nation…and while they appear to quarrel, they agree to plunder.
~Thomas Paine
Lucifer attacks through these heresies at that time in particular, when the evening of the world declines towards its setting and the evil of humanity swells up…since he knows in great anger, that he has little time remaining.
~Henricus Institoris
A certain former generation made a will to take away the rights of commencing ones, and to convey those rights to a third party…who afterwards tells them they have no rights, that rights are bequeathed to themselves, and they will govern despite contempt.
~Thomas Paine
You call on me to solve a crooked rhyme…as I'm closing in, imposing on your slumber, you call on me as bells begin to chime…are you on the square, are you on the level…are you ready to swear right here, right now, before the devil?
~Ghost
They are in the condition of persons who get their living by a show, and to whom the folly of that show is familiar they ridicule it…but were the audience to be made as wise in this respect as themselves, there would be an end to the show and the profits with it.
~Thomas Paine
To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin…in doing this, we shall easily discover that government must have arisen, either out of the people, or over the people.
~Thomas Paine
It is painful to behold a man employing his talents to corrupt himself…he is not affected by the reality of distress touching his heart, but by the showy resemblage of it striking his imagination…he pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird.
~Thomas Paine
Uncontrolled power, in the hands of an incensed, imperious, and rapacious conqueror, is an engine of dreadful execution, and woe be to that country over which in can be exercised.
~Common Sense
...and he took the stars in his hands
and as he scattered them he'd shout
"I'm the joker of the universe, I'm what
it's all about" Now he's dying in his grief,
the hard men dragged him down
They have killed the wild-eyed jester
They have killed the fire clown
~Blue Oyster Cult
It is unnatural and impolite to admit persons who would root up our independence to have a share in our legislation, either as voters or representatives…because the support of our independence rest, in a great measure, on the vigor and purity of our public bodies
~Common Sense
There are some who see not the extent of the evil that threatens, they seek solace with hopes of mercy…’tis madness to expect it from those who refuse to do justice, it is only a trick of war…the cunning of the fox is just as murderous as the violence of the wolf
~Common Sense
…bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature…then tell me whether you can hereafter love, honor, and faithfully serve the power that hath carried fire and sword into your land?
~Thomas Paine
…they need not wonder that the Almighty, ever jealous of his honor, should disapprove a form of government which so impiously invades the prerogative of Heaven
~Common Sense
So, doing what is unjust is the second worst thing…not paying what is due when one has done what is unjust is, by it’s nature, the first worst thing…the very worst of all
~Socrates
To become good truly is hard…and although it may be possible for a short period of time, to persist in that state and to be a good person…as you put it, Pittacus…is not humanly possible, our Creator alone has this privilege
~Simonides
But if we give to patriotism a fixed idea consistent with that of a republic, it would signify a strict adherence to the principles of moral justice…to the equality of civil and political rights, to the system of representative government
~Thomas Paine