Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

Quote by Thomas Paine

Topics: Thomas Paine Quotes

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state,...

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state,...

To live with our enemies as if they may some time become our friends, and...

To live with our enemies as if they may some time become our friends, and...

Time makes more converts than reason.

Time makes more converts than reason.

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in...

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in...

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition;...

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition;...

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

It is not a field of a few acres of ground, but a cause, that...

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels...

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels...

Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and...

Is it a fact that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and...

Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a...

Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a...

If a God, he could not suffer death, for immortality cannot die, and as a...

If a God, he could not suffer death, for immortality cannot die, and as a...

The Vatican is a dagger in the heart of Italy.

The Vatican is a dagger in the heart of Italy.

Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire

Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire

Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as...

Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as...

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem...

The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem...

It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.

It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too...

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too...

Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.

Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do...

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do...