Acres Quote by Thomas Paine
“It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that we are defending, and whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Common Sense, 1776
Defending a cause matters more than the size of the land; victory or defeat will have the same ultimate impact.
In simple terms: Cause matters more than land; outcome same.
Key Takeaway
Focus on the cause, not the territory.
Themes
principles
defense
consequences
Mood
determined
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military campaigns
- activism
- environmental advocacy
- human rights movements
Key Concepts
political philosophy
strategic thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the cause worth the sacrifice?
- How do we measure success beyond victory?
A Different Perspective
If the cause is unjust, defending it may cause harm.
![“[Footnote:] Pliny the Elder described a Whale called "Balaena or Whirlpool, which is so long and broad as to take up more in length and breadth than two acres of ground." This brings up again the old question: Are the classics doomed? Our ancestors believed that four years of this sort of…” quote by Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/will-cuppy-7569_acres_footnote-pliny-the-elder-described-a-wha_84284.jpg)
