That government is best which governs least.
-Thomas Paine
Author Archives: Thomas Schueneman
On Legislation Introduced to Address Global Warming and Climate Change
To perserve the benefits of what is called civilized life, and to remedy at the same time the evils it has produced, ought to be considered as one of the first objectives of reformed legislation,
-Thomas Paine, Agrarian Justice
On the Execution of a Tyrant
Civil Government does not consist in executions; but in making that provision for the instruction of youth and the support of age, as to exclude , as much as possible, profligacy from the one and despair from the other.
-Thomas Paine, Rights of Man
On Greeting a New Year
We have it within our power to begin the world over again.
-Thomas Paine
On the Passing of James Brown and Gerald Ford
“Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.” As Thomas Paine says, a title is but a nickname and a nickname a title. We remember James Brown and Gerald Ford today. At first glance they seem at opposite ends of the pole – one a President of the United States and the other …
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Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men
“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”
-Thomas Paine
On Feeling the Earth Move
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” While sitting down to write this post in the office of my San Francisco home, a slight tremor shook the building. Nothing much, just enough for the beams of this wooden structure to creak and my chair …
On the Legacy of Power
It could have been no difficult thing in the early and solitary ages of the world, while the chief employment of men was that of ruffians to overrun a country and lay it under contributions. Their power being thus established the chief of the band contrived to lose the name of Robber in that of Monarch; and hence the origin of Monarchy and Kings.
-Thomas Paine, Rights of Man
On Being a Real Man
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection
On Leading Without Introspection
Enjoy, sir, your insensibility of feeling and reflecting. It is the prerogative of animals. And no man will envy you those honors, in which a savage can only be your rival and a bear your master.
-Thomas Paine, The Crisis