What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.

THOMAS PAINE, Rights of Man

It is a general idea, that when taxes are once laid on, they are never taken off.

THOMAS PAINE, Rights of Man

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, First Principles of Government

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

THOMAS PAINE, The American Crisis

All hereditary government is in its nature tyranny. An heritable crown, or an heritable throne, or by what other fanciful name such things may be called, have no other significant explanation than that mankind are heritable property. To inherit a government, is to inherit the people, as if they were flocks and herds.

THOMAS PAINE, The Rights of Man

The continual whine of lamenting the burden of taxes, however successfully it may be practiced in mixed governments, is inconsistent with the sense and spirit of a republic. If taxes are necessary, they are of course advantageous, but if they require an apology, the apology itself implies an impeachment. Why, then, is man imposed upon, or why does he impose upon himself?

THOMAS PAINE, Rights of Man

Most other passions have their periods of fatigue and rest -- their suffering and their cure; but obstinacy has no resource, and the first wound is mortal.

THOMAS PAINE, The American Crisis

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

THOMAS PAINE, Common Sense

Science, the partisan of no country, but the beneficent patroness of all, has liberally opened a temple where all may meet. Her influence on the mind, like the sun on the chilled earth, has long been preparing it for a higher cultivation and further improvement. The philosopher of one country sees not an enemy in the philosopher of another: He takes his seat in the temple of science, and asks not who sits beside him.

THOMAS PAINE, The Works of Thomas Paine

The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion. It has been the most dishonourable belief against the character of the divinity, the most destructive to morality, and the peace and happiness of man, that ever was propagated since man began to exist. It is better, far better, that we admitted, if it were possible, a thousand devils to roam at large, and to preach publicly the doctrine of devils, if there were any such, than that we permitted one such impostor and monster as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and the Bible prophets, to come with the pretended word of God in his mouth, and have credit among us.

THOMAS PAINE, The Age of Reason

Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course. But we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time. It is therefore at least millions to one that the reporter of a miracle tells a lie.

THOMAS PAINE, The Age of Reason

Independence is my happiness, the world is my country and my religion is to do good.

THOMAS PAINE, Rights of Man

Independence always appeared to me practicable and probable; provided the sentiment of the country could be formed and held to the object.

THOMAS PAINE, Thoughts on the Peace, and the Probable Advantages Thereof to the United States of America

For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire.

THOMAS PAINE, The Crisis