12 quotes
In 'Common Sense' Paine flared forth with a document so powerful that the Revolution became inevitable. Washington recognized the difference, and in his calm way said that matters never could be the same again..
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
Looking back to those times we cannot, without much reading, clearly gauge the sentiment of the Colonies.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
Tom Paine has almost no influence on present-day thinking in the United States because he is unknown to the average citizen.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
Many a person who could not comprehend Rousseau, and would be puzzled by Montesquieu, could understand Paine as an open book.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
The torch which he handed on will not be extinguished.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
I consider Paine our greatest political thinker. As we have not advanced, and perhaps never shall advance, beyond the Declaration and Constitution, so Paine has had no successors who extended his principles.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
We never had a sounder intelligence in this Republic. He was the equal of Washington in making American liberty possible.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
It is probable that we should have had the Revolution without Tom Paine. Certainly it could not be forestalled, once he had spoken.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
He has been called an atheist, but atheist he was not.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
His Bible was the open face of nature, the broad skies, the green hills. He disbelieved the ancient myths and miracles taught by established creeds.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
Few men, indeed, had thought in terms of war.
Then Paine wrote 'Common Sense,' an anonymous tract which immediately stirred the fires of liberty.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)
The memory of Tom Paine will outlive all this. No man who helped to lay the foundations of our liberty — who stepped forth as the champion of so difficult a cause — can be permanently obscured by such attacks.
The Philosophy of Paine (1925)