Quotes by Thomas Paine

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

— Thomas Paine

Courage

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. '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.

— Thomas Paine

Love

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

— Thomas Paine

Life

The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

— Thomas Paine

Life

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

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

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

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

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

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

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.

— Thomas Paine

Life

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

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

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

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.

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

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

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

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.

— Thomas Paine

Freedom

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.

— Thomas Paine

Courage

The greatest remedy for anger is delay.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

These are the times that try men's souls.

— Thomas Paine

Wisdom

When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.

— Thomas Paine

Freedom