It is a fool only, and not the philosopher, nor even the prudent man, that will live as if there were no God... Were a man impressed as fully and strongly as he ought to be with the belief of a God, his moral life would be regulated by the force of belief; he would stand in awe of God and of himself, and would not do the thing that could not be concealed from either.
Thomas PaineThat there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of Nations is as shocking as it is true.
Thomas PaineMan did not enter society to be worse off, or to have fewer rights, but rather to have those rights better secured
Thomas PaineMingling religion with politics may be disavowed and reprobated by every inhabitant of America.
Thomas PainePublic money ought to be touched with the most scrupulous conscientiousness of honor. It is not the produce of riches only, but of the hard earnings of labor and poverty. It is drawn even from the bitterness of want and misery. Not a beggar passes, or perishes in the streets, whose mite is not in that mass.
Thomas Paine