On the Value of Hanging Out with the Right People

“Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad” -Thomas Paine It is not the relative difficulty or ease, but the caliber of people with which we associate, that shapes the course of our lives.

On the Genius and Strength of Abraham Lincoln

“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” -Thomas Paine, The American Crisis Lincoln’s time in the …

On Having Sufficient Gratitude

“But if objects for gratitude and admiration are our desire, do they not present themselves every hour to our eyes?” -Thomas Paine, Age of Reason Hobbes said life was nasty, brutish, and short. There is no question that life is often hard, even nasty and brutish, certainly short. Even so, if you have time for …

On Released Memos Justifying Torture

“An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates his duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” -Thomas …

On Transparency in Government

A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support. -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man It is the government with something to hide, or thinks itself justified in so doing, that we must fear most.

On the Servitude of Fear

“…the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.”  -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man Fear is the enemy of reason. Fear invites suspicion, prejudice, division.  Overcoming fear is the path to freedom.

On God’s Wrath

“Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man” -Thomas Paine We can have a loving God, or a cruel one. The true values of God are reflected in the actions of those whom profess belief.