Bible Quote by Thomas Paine
““As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings. All anti-monarchical parts of scripture have been very smoothly glossed over in monarchical governments, but they undoubtedly merit the attention of countries which have their governments yet to form. "Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's" is the scripture doctrine of courts, yet it is no support of monarchical government, for the Jews at that time were without a king, and in a state of vassalage to the Romans.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Political Treatise, 1795
He argues that divine authority does not justify monarchy; true governance should be based on natural rights and equality, not on scripted hierarchy.
In simple terms: Divine right does not legitimize kings; equality should guide government.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for governments grounded in equal rights.
Themes
equality
natural rights
political philosophy
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- constitutional drafting
- civil rights movements
- educational curricula
- public debates
Key Concepts
monarchy
scriptural interpretation
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- Can societies separate religious doctrine from political authority?
- What alternatives to monarchy better protect liberty?
A Different Perspective
Religious texts are often reinterpreted to support existing power structures.
