1737-1809, Anglo-American Political Theorist, Writer
My own mind is my own church.
Thomas Paine – [Churches]


Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter we are known at home, by the former to the world. Our great title is AMERICANS — our inferior one varies with the place.
Thomas Paine – [Citizenship]


Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and the angels know of us.
Thomas Paine – [Character]


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.
Thomas Paine – [Government]


Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.
Thomas Paine – [Suspicion]


That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.
Thomas Paine – [Appreciation]


The final event to himself has been, that as he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.
Thomas Paine – [Glory]


The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value.
Thomas Paine – [Obstacles]


The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
Thomas Paine – [Smile]


The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Thomas Paine – [Patriotism]


The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.
Thomas Paine – [Purpose]


These are the times that try men's souls.
Thomas Paine – [Crisis]


Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
Thomas Paine – [Freedom]


Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.
Thomas Paine – [Nicknames]


To establish any mode to abolish war, however advantageous it might be to Nations, would be to take from such Government the most lucrative of its branches.
Thomas Paine – [War]


We fight not to enslave, but to set a country free, and to make room upon the earth for honest men to live in.
Thomas Paine – [Freedom]


We have it in our power to begin the world over again.
Thomas Paine – [New Beginning]


What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
Thomas Paine – [Value]


When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.
Thomas Paine – [Thoughts and Thinking]


When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.
Thomas Paine – [Posterity]

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