Famous Thomas Paine Quote 

"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."

by:
Thomas Paine
(1737-1809)
Source:
Dissertation on First Principles of Government, 7 July 1795
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Reader comments about this quote:
Hmmm, like Little Bushie Junior's torture camp.....So a fore father opposes persecution? Man have NAG gotten it all wrong. Hey Bush Jr. and Pals, move to China so a real president can run a free country of united states.
 -- Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco Buday, Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), Coastal Lwr Mainland BC(State of Neo Sumer), U.S. of Eh!		 
That we have 54 congressional representatives who are registered members of the Socialist Party, in clear violation of their oath of office to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, is evidence enough that we are far too lenient. Add to that the miillions of violent offenders who walk the streets, instead of the prison yards, and it makes the quote seem extremely archaic.
 -- David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood		 
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US 
Avidity to punish is also sometimes a precursor to terminal delusions and judgementalism. What's a day without a good rationalization for the absurd anyway?
 -- Harold Levy, Hermosa Beach, CA		 
David: You don't seem to understand the quote... And if you think it is archaic, then the Constitution and everything our Founders stood and fought for is archaic... And while you're obsessing about a bunch of alleged socialists the fascists have been invading your house through the back door.
 -- Andy, Portland, OR		 
yes, yes, yes when will we learn this simple rule
 -- Robert, Sarasota		 
The clarity of Thomas Paine and the graveness of the importance of the message cannot be misunderstood by any but the most dense of minds.. First they came and arrested the communists, but I said nothing for I was not a communist, then they came and arested the liberals,but I said nothing, for I was not a liberal. then they came and arrested all the democrats but I said nothing, for I was not a democrat... Republicans who critisised all the mass jailings of the Soviet Union now laugh if socialists or democrats, liberals or Ron Paul supporters get jailed... some very sic people in that crowd. Justice and democracy is on its way out. Open Fascism has finally begun..
 -- Thomas Sankara, Oagadougou		 
I guess Dave Rosenthal believes the Pledge of Allegiance is Communist propaganda. I mean, it was written by a Socialist.
 -- Gurn Blanston, Redlands, CA		 
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