Bravery Quote by Thomas Paine
““The valor of a country may be learned by the bravery of its soldiery, and the general cast of its inhabitants, but confidence of success is best discovered by the active measures pursued by men of property; and when the spirit of enterprise becomes so universal as to act at once on all ranks of men, a war may then, and not till then, be styled truly proper.””
About This Quote
Source Pamphlet: Common Sense, 1776
A nation's strength comes from its brave soldiers and industrious people, but true confidence arises when property owners take active, entrepreneurial actions, leading to justified war only when all classes act together.
In simple terms: Strength lies in brave soldiers, industrious people, and active entrepreneurs; war is proper only when all act.
Key Takeaway
Encourage broad participation in national endeavors.
Themes
courage
enterprise
war
social unity
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- nation building
- military recruitment
- economic development
- public policy
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
political philosophy
economic incentive
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure all social classes contribute to national goals?
- What risks arise when war is justified by economic motives?
A Different Perspective
If only the elite act, the rest may feel excluded.
