---
title: "Best Government Quotes by Thomas Paine"
description: "88 Government quotes by Thomas Paine. Plus more from Thomas Paine and more Government sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/thomas-paine-267_arise_governments-arise-either-out-of-the-peop_440545.png"
---

> [Governments arise either out of the people or over the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/governments-arise-either-out-of-the-people-or-over-the-people/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/thomas-paine-267_arise_governments-arise-either-out-of-the-peop_440545.png)

> [Lay then the axe to the root, and teach governments humanity. It is their sanguinary punishments which corrupt mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/lay-then-the-axe-to-the-root-and-teach-governments-humanity-it-is/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/thomas-paine-267_corrupt_lay-then-the-axe-to-the-root-and-teach-g_1104990.png)

> [To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-possess-ourselves-of-a-clear-idea-of-what-government-is-or-ought/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4d/thomas-paine-267_clear_to-possess-ourselves-of-a-clear-idea-of_2676819.png)

> [“Man is not the enemy of man, but through the medium of a false system of Government.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/man-is-not-the-enemy-of-man-but-through-the-medium-of-a-false-system/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c8/thomas-paine-267_government_man-is-not-the-enemy-of-man-but-through_1107784.png)

> [It is important that we should never lose sight of this distinction. We must not confuse the peoples with their governments...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-is-important-that-we-should-never-lose-sight-of-this-distinction/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/thomas-paine-267_distinction_it-is-important-that-we-should-never-los_2138224.png)

> [Here then is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/here-then-is-the-origin-and-rise-of-government-namely-a-mode-rendered/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0de/thomas-paine-267_design_here-then-is-the-origin-and-rise-of-gove_1868191.jpg)

> [I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-draw-my-idea-of-the-form-of-government-from-a-principle-in-nature/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/thomas-paine-267_art_i-draw-my-idea-of-the-form-of-government_1242996.png)

> [There is existing in man, a mass of sense lying in a dormant state. The construction of government ought to be such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/there-is-existing-in-man-a-mass-of-sense-lying-in-a-dormant-state-the/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ac/thomas-paine-267_capacity_there-is-existing-in-man-a-mass-of-sense_2414996.png)

> [It will be proper to take a review of the several sources from which governments have arisen, and on which they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-will-be-proper-to-take-a-review-of-the-several-sources-from-which/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/thomas-paine-267_government_it-will-be-proper-to-take-a-review-of-th_75451.png)

> [Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best stage, is but a necessary evil; in its worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/society-in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but-government-even-in-its-best/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba4/thomas-paine-267_government_society-in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but_299964.png)

> [The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-instant-formal-government-is-abolished-society-begins-to-act-a/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/700/thomas-paine-267_association_the-instant-formal-government-is-abolish_2946817.png)

> [To establish any mode to abolish war, however advantageous it might be to Nations, would be to take from such Government the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-establish-any-mode-to-abolish-war-however-advantageous-it-might-be/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e8/thomas-paine-267_branches_to-establish-any-mode-to-abolish-war-how_2074324.png)

> [That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of nations, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/that-there-are-men-in-all-countries-who-get-their-living-by-war-and/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcc/thomas-paine-267_concerned_that-there-are-men-in-all-countries-who_897654.jpg)

> [In the first part of 'Rights of Man' I have endeavoured to show...that there does not exist a right to establish hereditary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/in-the-first-part-of-rights-of-man-i-have-endeavoured-to-show-that/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/834/thomas-paine-267_cases_in-the-first-part-of-rights-of-man-i-hav_2509070.jpg)

> [We still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry and grasping at the spoil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-still-find-the-greedy-hand-of-government-thrusting-itself-into/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/thomas-paine-267_crevice_we-still-find-the-greedy-hand-of-governm_231509.png)

> [Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/men-who-look-upon-themselves-born-to-reign-and-others-to-obey-soon/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5b/thomas-paine-267_born_men-who-look-upon-themselves-born-to-rei_1687224.jpg)

> [...the individuals themselves, each in his own personal and sovereign right, entered into a compact with each other to produce a government:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-individuals-themselves-each-in-his-own-personal-and-sovereign/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/thomas-paine-267_arise_the-individuals-themselves-each-in-his-o_2160479.png)

> [A government of our own is our natural right; and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-government-of-our-own-is-our-natural-right-and-when-a-man-seriously/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a5/thomas-paine-267_affair_a-government-of-our-own-is-our-natural-r_310118.png)

> [Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/society-is-produced-by-our-wants-and-government-by-wickedness-the-3/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/thomas-paine-267_affection_society-is-produced-by-our-wants-and-gov_3095445.jpg)

> [“I have shown in all the foregoing parts of this work that the Bible and Testament are impositions and forgeries; and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-have-shown-in-all-the-foregoing-parts-of-this-work-that-the-bible/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f09/thomas-paine-267_bible_i-have-shown-in-all-the-foregoing-parts_2443459.png)

> [When extraordinary power and extraordinary pay are allotted to any individual in a government, he becomes the center, round which every kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/when-extraordinary-power-and-extraordinary-pay-are-allotted-to-any/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/272/thomas-paine-267_corruption_when-extraordinary-power-and-extraordina_2684679.png)

> [“A government or an administration, who means and acts honestly, has nothing to fear, and consequently has nothing to conceal;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-government-or-an-administration-who-means-and-acts-honestly-has/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fd/thomas-paine-267_government_a-government-or-an-administration-who-me_222448.png)

> [We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-government-or-in-any-men-when/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/thomas-paine-267_confidence_we-repose-an-unwise-confidence-in-any-go_846758.png)

> [A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-nation-under-a-well-regulated-government-should-permit-none-to/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/thomas-paine-267_education_a-nation-under-a-well-regulated-governme_2846060.png)

> [And as a man, who is attached to a prostitute, is unfitted to choose or judge of a wife, so any prepossession…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/and-as-a-man-who-is-attached-to-a-prostitute-is-unfitted-to-choose-or/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f5/thomas-paine-267_constitution_and-as-a-man-who-is-attached-to-a-prosti_671371.jpg)

> [Change of ministers amounts to nothing. One goes out, another comes in, and still the same measures, vices, and extravagances are pursued.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/change-of-ministers-amounts-to-nothing-one-goes-out-another-comes-in/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/thomas-paine-267_amount_change-of-ministers-amounts-to-nothing-o_612676.png)

> [“Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness. Society promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, government negatively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/society-is-produced-by-our-wants-and-government-by-our-wickedness-2/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e8/thomas-paine-267_coercion_society-is-produced-by-our-wants-and-gov_2558196.png)

> [Government has no right to make itself a party in any debates respecting the principles or mode of forming or of changing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/government-has-no-right-to-make-itself-a-party-in-any-debates/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/thomas-paine-267_benefits_government-has-no-right-to-make-itself-a_574093.png)

> [Great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It has its origin in the principles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/great-part-of-that-order-which-reigns-among-mankind-is-not-the-effect/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/thomas-paine-267_chains_great-part-of-that-order-which-reigns-am_2864496.jpg)

> [Let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarcy, that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/let-a-crown-be-placed-thereon-by-which-the-world-may-know-that-so-far/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/thomas-paine-267_america_let-a-crown-be-placed-thereon-by-which-t_1575850.jpg)

> [In reviewing the history of the English Government, its wars and its taxes, a bystander, not blinded by prejudice nor warped by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/in-reviewing-the-history-of-the-english-government-its-wars-and-its/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/thomas-paine-267_antiwar_in-reviewing-the-history-of-the-english_652045.jpg)

> [“in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but-government-even-in-its-best-state-is/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/142/thomas-paine-267_government_in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but-governm_527846.png)

> [Government ought to be as much open to improvement as anything which appertains to man, instead of which it has been monopolized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/government-ought-to-be-as-much-open-to-improvement-as-anything-which/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25a/thomas-paine-267_age_government-ought-to-be-as-much-open-to-i_1112749.png)

> [It can only be by blinding the understanding of man, and making him believe that government is some wonderful mysterious thing, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-can-only-be-by-blinding-the-understanding-of-man-and-making-him/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/thomas-paine-267_believe_it-can-only-be-by-blinding-the-understan_1580143.jpg)

> [A constitution, therefore, is to a government what the laws made afterwards by that government are to a court of judicature. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-constitution-therefore-is-to-a-government-what-the-laws-made/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e35/thomas-paine-267_conformity_a-constitution-therefore-is-to-a-governm_1526170.png)

> [Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/some-writers-have-so-confounded-society-with-government-as-to-leave-2/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/thomas-paine-267_blessing_some-writers-have-so-confounded-society_1680658.jpg)

> [Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/society-in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but-government-even-in-its-best-2/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/thomas-paine-267_blessing_society-in-every-state-is-a-blessing-but_1315720.jpg)

> [Uncritical reverence for the Founding Fathers was less ubiquitous while they actually lived. . . . "The Reign of Terror that raged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/uncritical-reverence-for-the-founding-fathers-was-less-ubiquitous/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56e/thomas-paine-267_administration_uncritical-reverence-for-the-founding-fa_469806.jpg)

> [“The answer of Solon on the question, 'Which is the most perfect popular govemment,' has never been exceeded by any man since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-answer-of-solon-on-the-question-which-is-the-most-perfect-popular/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/thomas-paine-267_constitution_the-answer-of-solon-on-the-question-whic_2423610.png)

> [The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected. To take away this right is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-right-of-voting-for-representatives-is-the-primary-right-by-which/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-paine-267_cases_the-right-of-voting-for-representatives_2358010.jpg)

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## More by Thomas Paine

> [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [“The laws of every country must be analogous to some common principle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-laws-of-every-country-must-be-analogous-to-some-common-principle/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [The book called the Bible has been voted by men, and decreed by human laws to be the word of God; and the disbelief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-book-called-the-bible-has-been-voted-by-men-and-decreed-by-human/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [One would think that a system loaded with such gross and vulgar absurdities as Scripture religion is could never have obtained credit; yet we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/one-would-think-that-a-system-loaded-with-such-gross-and-vulgar/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Commerce diminishes the spirit, both of patriotism and military defence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/commerce-diminishes-the-spirit-both-of-patriotism-and-military-defence/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/those-who-expect-to-reap-the-blessings-of-freedom-must-like-men/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [“It has been the practice of all Christian commentators on the Bible, and of all Christian priests and preachers, to impose the Bible on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-has-been-the-practice-of-all-christian-commentators-on-the-bible/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [But there are times when men have serious thoughts, and it is at such times, when they begin to think, that they begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/but-there-are-times-when-men-have-serious-thoughts-and-it-is-at-such/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Wisdom is not the purchase of a day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/wisdom-is-not-the-purchase-of-a-day/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/our-citizenship-in-the-united-states-is-our-national-character-our/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/suspicion-is-the-companion-of-mean-souls-and-the-bane-of-all-good/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [“To pass from the extremes of danger to safety-from the tumult of war to the tranquility of peace, though sweet in contemplation, requires a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-pass-from-the-extremes-of-danger-to-safety-from-the-tumult-of-war/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [What more does man want to know than that the hand or power that made these things is divine, is omnipotent? Let him believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-more-does-man-want-to-know-than-that-the-hand-or-power-that-made/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

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                        "text": "Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.",
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                        "text": "...the individuals themselves, each in his own personal and sovereign right, entered into a compact with each other to produce a government: and this is the only mode in which governments have a right to arise, and the only principle on which they have a right to exist.",
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                        "text": "A government of our own is our natural right; and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance.",
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                        "text": "Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.",
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                        "text": "“I have shown in all the foregoing parts of this work that the Bible and Testament are impositions and forgeries; and I leave the evidence I have produced in proof of it to be refuted, if any one can do it; and I leave the ideas that are suggested in the conclusion of the work to rest on the mind of the reader; certain as I am that when opinions are free, either in matters of govemment or religion, truth will finally and powerfully prevail.”",
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                        "text": "A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.",
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                        "text": "Change of ministers amounts to nothing. One goes out, another comes in, and still the same measures, vices, and extravagances are pursued. It signifies not who is minister. The defect lies in the system. The foundation and superstructure of the government is bad. Prop it as you please, it continually sinks and ever will.",
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                        "text": "Great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It has its origin in the principles of society and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has upon man, and all the parts of civilised community upon each other, create that great chain of connection which holds it together.",
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                        "text": "Let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarcy, that in America the law is King. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.",
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                        "text": "“in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.”",
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                        "text": "Government ought to be as much open to improvement as anything which appertains to man, instead of which it has been monopolized from age to age, by the most ignorant and vicious of the human race. Need we any other proof of their wretched management, than the excess of debts and taxes with which every nation groans, and the quarrels into which they have precipitated the world?\"",
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                        "text": "A constitution, therefore, is to a government what the laws made afterwards by that government are to a court of judicature. The court of judicature does not make the laws, neither can it alter them; it only acts in conformity to the laws made: and the government is in like manner governed by the constitution.",
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                        "text": "Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins ... Society is in every state a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.",
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                        "text": "Uncritical reverence for the Founding Fathers was less ubiquitous while they actually lived. . . . \"The Reign of Terror that raged in America during the latter end of the Washington Administration, and the whole of that of Adams, is enveloped in mystery to me. That there were men in the Government hostile to the representative system, was once their toast, though it is now their overthrow, and therefore the fact is established against them.\"",
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                        "text": "“The answer of Solon on the question, 'Which is the most perfect popular govemment,' has never been exceeded by any man since his time, as containing a maxim of political morality, 'That,' says he, 'where the least injury done to the meanest individual, is considered as an insult on the whole constitution.”",
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                        "text": "The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery, for slavery consists in being subject to the will of another, and he that has not a vote in the election of representatives is in this case.",
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