--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The circumstances of the world are…" description: "\"The circumstances of the world are continually changing, and the opinions of men change also; and as government is for the living, and not for the dead..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/thomas-paine-267_age_the-circumstances-of-the-world-are-conti_258718.png" --- # The circumstances of the world are continually changing… ![“The circumstances of the world are continually changing, and the opinions of men change also; and as government is for the living, and not for the dead, it is the living only that has any right in it. That which may be thought right and found convenient in one age, may be thought wrong and found…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/thomas-paine-267_age_the-circumstances-of-the-world-are-conti_258718.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/thomas-paine-267_age_the-circumstances-of-the-world-are-conti_258718.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/thomas-paine-267_age_the-circumstances-of-the-world-are-conti_258718.png) > “The circumstances of the world are continually changing, and the opinions of men change also; and as government is for the living, and not for the dead, it is the living only that has any right in it. That which may be thought right and found convenient in one age, may be thought wrong and found inconvenient in another. In such cases, who is to decide, the living, or the dead?” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal rules must adapt; living people decide relevance, not past generations. **In simple terms:** Living decide what works now. Key Takeaway Adapt laws to current needs. Themes politics change legitimacy Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy reform - activism - education - community planning Key Concepts social contract historical context Questions to Reflect On - How to honor tradition while evolving? - Who should have voice in change? A Different Perspective Past wisdom can still guide decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Changing Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-opinions/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The circumstances of the world are continually changing, and the opinions of men change also,Government is for the living, and not for the dead;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-circumstances-of-the-world-are-continually-changing-and-the/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [There is always a choice; the only part you have to decide on is living with the consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-is-always-a-choice-the-only-part-you-have-to-decide-on-is/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The government's living in its own cloud cuckoo land and it's a cloud of greenhouse gases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-brown/the-government-s-living-in-its-own-cloud-cuckoo-land-and-it-s-a-cloud/) [Bob Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-brown/) > [There is not a man in the country that can't make a living for himself and family. 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