To bring the matter to one point, Is the power who is…
“To bring the matter to one point, Is the power who is jealous of our prosperity, a proper power to govern us? Whoever says, No, to this question, is an independent, for independency means no more than this, whether we shall make our own law, or, whether the king, the greatest enemy which this continent hath, or can have, shall tell us there shall be no laws but such as I like.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Paines questions whether a jealous power can truly govern, arguing that true independence means making one's own laws rather than obeying a ruler's whims.
In simple terms: Independence requires self‑made laws, not tyrannical rule.
Key Takeaway
Seek self‑governance over imposed authority.
Themes
political philosophy
independence
authority
law
tyranny
Mood
critical
inspirational
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- revolutionary movements
- constitutional debates
- civil rights activism
Key Concepts
social contract
sovereignty
individual rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true independence in your life?
- How do you resist imposed authority?
A Different Perspective
Power structures often co‑opt independence rhetoric.