Dominion Quote by Thomas Paine
““What inducement has the farmer, while following the plough, to lay aside his peaceful pursuit, and go to war with the farmer of another country? Or what inducement has the manufacturer? What is dominion to them, or to any class of men in a nation? Does it add an acre to any man's estate, or raise its value? Are not conquest and defeat each of the same price, and taxes the never-failing consequence? -Though this reasoning may be good to a nation, it is not so to a government. War is the Pharo table of governments, and nations the dupes of the game.””
About This Quote
Source Pamphlet: Common Sense, 1776
War benefits governments more than individuals, as it serves political power rather than personal gain.
In simple terms: War serves political power, not personal gain.
Key Takeaway
Question the true motives behind war.
Themes
politics
war
power
economics
ethics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- Policy debates
- historical analysis
- citizen education
- activism
- peace advocacy
Key Concepts
Political theory
statecraft
conflict economics
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives drive governments to war?
- How do citizens resist war propaganda?
A Different Perspective
War may be justified by leaders despite harming citizens.
![“It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards, that the sun never sets upon their Dominions.” quote by Thomas Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e12/thomas-gage-63372_dominion_it-may-be-said-of-them-the-hollanders-as_103053.jpg)
![“The thing that was forfeited in the garden was regained. God gave him [Adam] dominion over the works of His hand. God made him His understudy, His king to rule over everything that had life. Man was master, man lived in the realm of god. He lived on terms of equality with God. God was a faith God…” quote by John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/428/john-g-lake-12667_adam_the-thing-that-was-forfeited-in-the-gard_84356.jpg)
