{"id":40561,"date":"2021-06-19T20:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-20T00:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=40561"},"modified":"2021-06-29T10:18:39","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T14:18:39","slug":"thomas-paine-common-sense-quotes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/thomas-paine-common-sense-quotes\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Paine’s Best Common Sense Quotes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you looking for Common Sense<\/a><\/em> quotes by Thomas Paine? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense<\/em> provides both an intellectual backing and a roadmap for full American independence<\/a> from England. While it is often read as a book that’s only concerned with questions related to America and England, Paine also lays out a comprehensive political philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following Common Sense<\/em> quotes encapsulate the essense of his argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Common Sense<\/em>: Notable Quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a time when Americans were divided on their wish for liberation from England, Common Sense <\/em>provided a persuasive argument to leave England and their model of governance for a republic directly elected by the people. Common Sense <\/em>answers the question: What does the ideal government look like? In these ways, it is more relevant today than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense<\/em> quotes that highlight the key points of Paine’s argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom Britain we can expect nothing but ruin. If she is admitted to the government of America again, this continent will not be worth living in.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Paine believed that being under England would inevitably destroy America. In Common Sense<\/em>, he argued that if America chooses not to seek independence, the King of England will become more tyrannical, any agreement made will only be temporary, and the American citizens may lose the unity that they have right now. If America\u2019s population grows and the conflict drags on, it\u2019s only natural based on the size of the colony that partisans will take up positions and infighting will begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUntil an independence is declared the continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This quote encapsulates Paine’s central point running throughout the pamphlet\u2014America must seek independence from the British monarchy<\/a>. He argued that colonies will one day break free from the King’s rule. However, he maintained that the best time to act would be now, rather than later because of the unique state of America at the time of publishing of the pamphlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have the right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever, and tho’ himself might deserve some decent degree of honours of his cotemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Paine was a firm opponent of hereditary monarchy<\/a> as a form of government for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n