Age Quote by Thomas Paine
“There never did, there never will, and there never can exist a parliament, or any description of men, or any generation of men, in any country, possessed of the right or the power of binding and controlling posterity to the 'end of time,' or of commanding for ever how the world shall be governed, or who shall govern it. ... Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself, in all cases, as the ages and generations which preceded it.”
About This Quote
Source Political pamphlet: Common Sense, 1776
The passage argues that no institution should claim eternal authority over future generations; each era must have the freedom to shape its own destiny.
In simple terms: No power should bind future generations; each age must be free.
Key Takeaway
Guard against permanent authority.
Themes
freedom
politics
authority
generational rights
self‑determination
Mood
critical
inspirational
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government formation
- constitutional debates
- activism
- education reform
Key Concepts
democracy
social contract
historical cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits should societies place on power?
- How do cultures differ in views of authority?
A Different Perspective
It assumes all societies value freedom equally.
