What Thomas Paine thinks about America
Pamphleteer and revolutionary (1737 to 1809), born in Norfolk, England; author of Common Sense, a central text behind the call for American independence, and Rights of Man.
Thomas Paine did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
2 dated positions, 1776, in their own words. Our reading of what Thomas Paine has said — not written or endorsed by them.
The line under a date shows how recently it was said: empty within a month, full after three years.
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Their wordsEvery thing that is right or natural pleads for separation.
↗Common Sense (new edition, 1776)gutenberg.org 4th of 6 in this piece
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Their wordsWe have it in our power to begin the world over again.
↗Common Sense (new edition, 1776)gutenberg.org 6th of 6 in this piece
The line under a date fills as the words age, a quarter at a time: past a month, six months, a year, and three years. Empty means said within the last month; full, more than three years ago. It says when, not whether it still holds — a change of mind is marked on the claim itself.
Dashed means we only know the words existed by that date; they may be older.