33 Famous Thomas Paine Quotes

Today, we turn our attention to the words of Thomas Paine, a revolutionary author, political theorist, and philosopher whose inspiring ideas and unyielding spirit helped shape the foundation of modern democracy. Born in England in 1737, Paine’s life and work have had a profound impact on both the American and French Revolutions. His works have earned him a distinguished place in history as a champion for human rights and liberty. His most famous works, such as “Common Sense,” “The Rights of Man,” and “The Age of Reason,” remains relevant and thought-provoking even in our contemporary world.

In this collection of quotes by Thomas Paine, we delve into his powerful words. We’ll explore his insights on topics such as freedom, equality, government, and more. Each quote serves as a testament to his unwavering belief in the power of reason and the potential for humanity to progress. Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Thomas Paine. His enduring wisdom continues to challenge and inspire us today.

I hope you enjoy these quotes by Thomas Paine…

"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." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense
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1) “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.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense

Common Sense
  • Paine, Thomas (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 80 Pages – 09/17/2021 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

2) “If the crimes of men were exhibited with their sufferings, the stage effect would sometimes be lost, and the audience would be inclined to approve where it was intended they should commiserate.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

Rights of Man
  • Paine, Thomas (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages – 08/25/2021 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

3) “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. 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, The Age of Reason

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The Age of Reason (Writings of Thomas Paine)
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  • Thomas Paine (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 180 Pages – 05/29/2010 (Publication Date) – Merchant Books (Publisher)

4) “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and though himself might deserve SOME decent degree of honours of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense

Quotes by Thomas Paine on Freedom

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." - Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

5) “Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

6) “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” – Thomas Paine

7) “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow.” – Thomas Paine

8) “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, Dissertation on First Principles of Government

Dissertation on First Principles of Government. By Thomas Paine,
  • Hardcover Book
  • Paine, Thomas (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 34 Pages – 04/23/2018 (Publication Date) – Gale Ecco, Print Editions (Publisher)

9) “I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.” – Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine quotes from his writings.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." - Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1

10) “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” – Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1

Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 1 (1774-1779): the American Crisis
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Paine, Thomas (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 286 Pages – 03/24/2011 (Publication Date)

11) “It is from the Bible that man has learned cruelty, rapine, and murder; for the belief of a cruel God makes a cruel man.” – Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

12) “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

13) “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” – Thomas Paine

14) “Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

Man has no property in man…

"Man has no property in man; neither has any generation a property in the generations which are to follow." - Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

15) “Man has no property in man; neither has any generation a property in the generations which are to follow.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

16) “The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.” – Thomas Paine, A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal on the Affairs of North America

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17) “The more men have to lose, the less willing are they to venture.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense

18) “O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose not only tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the Old World is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.” – Thomas Paine

19) “One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.” – Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

Strength from distress…

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

20) “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” – Thomas Paine

21) “Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.” – Thomas Paine

22) “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” – Thomas Paine

23) “Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense

24) “That which may be thought right and found convenient in one age, may be thought wrong and found inconvenient in another. In such cases, who is to decide, the living, or the dead?” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

25) “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” – Thomas Paine

26) “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” – Thomas Paine

27) “These are the times that try men’s souls.” – Thomas Paine, The American Crisis

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The American Crisis: Common Sense
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  • Thomas Paine (Author) – David Stifel (Narrator)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 12/03/2013 (Publication Date) – Spoken Realms (Publisher)

28) “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” – Thomas Paine

29) “To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.” – Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine quotes from his book, ‘Common Sense’.

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense

30) “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” – Thomas Paine, Common Sense

Common Sense
  • Paine, Thomas (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 80 Pages – 09/17/2021 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

31) “Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

32) “When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the rational world is my friend because I am the friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and government. Independence is my happiness, the world is my country and my religion is to do good.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

33) “The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” – Thomas Paine

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