Quotes by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theor

Lived from: 1737 - 1809

Category: Politics | Philosophers Country: FlagUnited States

Born: 9 february 1737 Died: 8 june 1809

  • I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church.

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Quotes 1 till 20 of 48.

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  • What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
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  • When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.
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  • A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.
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  • Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
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  • A bad cause will never be supported by bad means and bad men.
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  • A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
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  • 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.
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  • Character is much easier kept than recovered.
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  • Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad.
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  • Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'Tis time to part.
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  • Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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  • He is not affected by the reality of distress touching his heart, but by the showy resemblance of it striking his imagination. He pities the plumage, but forgets the dying bird.
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  • He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
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  • Human nature is not of itself vicious.
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  • I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
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  • I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church.
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  • I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
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  • If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
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  • It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.
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  • It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe.
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All Thomas Paine famous quotes and sayings you will always find on greatest-quotations.com

Questions and Answers

What are the most famous quotes from Thomas Paine?

The two most famous quotes from Thomas Paine are:

  • "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value."
  • "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon."

When did Thomas Paine live?

Thomas Paine was born in 1737 and died in the year 1809.