❝ 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. Thomas Paine
❝ Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. Thomas Paine
❝ 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. Thomas Paine
❝ Any system of religion that has any thing in it that shocks the mind of a child cannot be a true system. Thomas Paine
❝ As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith. Thomas Paine
❝ Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly-marked feature of all law-religions, or religions established by law. Thomas Paine