Zitat des Tages von Thomas Paine:
Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
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.
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
To establish any mode to abolish war, however advantageous it might be to Nations, would be to take from such Government the most lucrative of its branches.
There are two distinct classes of what are called thoughts: those that we produce in ourselves by reflection and the act of thinking and those that bolt into the mind of their own accord.
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.
It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes.
That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly.
Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities.
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
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.
The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.
One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.
'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.
We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities.
The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.
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.
It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
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.
He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
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.
We have it in our power to begin the world over again.
Virtues are acquired through endeavor, Which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues Can but encourage one's own efforts.
These are the times that try men's souls.
War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end; it has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.
Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
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.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.
There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice.
