Thomas Paine

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.

Justice consists in doing no injury to men; decency in giving them no offense.

Protestants in France are under intolerable despotism. Although open persecution does not now exist, yet it depends upon the whim of the king, queen, parliament, or any of the ministry.

Fear follows crime and is its punishment.