Top 63 Quotes by Thomas Paine

'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.

The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.

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

Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

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

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities.

To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not.