Quotes from Thomas Paine

Science is the true theology.

It is a fraud of the Christian system to call the sciences human invention; it is only the application of them that is human.

Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.

Man did not enter society to be worse off, or to have fewer rights, but rather to have those rights better secured

Civilization, or that which is so called, has operated two ways to make one part of society more affluent and the other part more wretched than would have been the lot of either in a natural state.

Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.

Virtues are acquired through endeavor, Which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues Can but encourage one's own efforts.

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow.

'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.

Every person of learning is finally his own teacher.

It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all.

In the progress of politics, as in the common occurrences of life, we are not only apt to forget the ground we have travelled over, but frequently neglect to gather up experiences as we go.

Action and care will in time wear down the strongest frame, but guilt and melancholy are poisons of quick dispatch.

We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities.

Time makes more converts than reason.