I have always regarded Paine as one of the greatest of all…
““I have always regarded Paine as one of the greatest of all Americans. Never have we had a sounder intelligence in this republic ... It was my good fortune to encounter Thomas Paine 's works in my boyhood ... it was, indeed, a revelation to me to read that great thinker's views on political and theological subjects. Paine educated me, then, about many matters of which I had never before thought. I remember, very vividly, the flash of enlightenment that shone from Paine 's writings, and I recall thinking, at that time, 'What a pity these works are not today the schoolbooks for all children!' My interest in Paine was not satisfied by my first reading of his works. I went back to them time and again, just as I have done since my boyhood days.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Edison praises Thomas Paine for his profound intellectual influence and laments his exclusion from modern education.
In simple terms: Paine’s ideas were enlightening and should be taught to all children.
Key Takeaway
Read Paine, teach Paine.
Themes
education
inspiration
history
literature
Mood
reflective
admiring
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- School curricula
- public lectures
- personal study
- historical research
Key Concepts
Enlightenment
Republicanism
Intellectual heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- How would including Paine in schoolbooks change civic understanding?
- What barriers prevent his works from being taught today?
A Different Perspective
Paine’s ideas may be seen as controversial in some modern contexts.