Famous Thomas Paine Quote

"These are the times that try men's souls.
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,
in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;
but he that stands it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered;
yet we have this consolation with us,
that the harder the conflict,
the more glorious the triumph.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.
Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods;
and it would be strange indeed,
if so celestial an article as Freedom
should not be highly rated."

by:	Thomas Paine (1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author
Date:	December 19, 1776
Source:	The American Crisis, No. 1, delivered at Valley Forge
Rating:
Categories:	America, Commitment, Courage, Patriotism, Sovereignty, Terrorism, Truth, Tyranny
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Outstanding, seems to be true throughout the annals of time.  -- CB, PA      4
-- Reddrick, Sacramento
He who stands for the country and freedom now is the citizen who sees tyranny, not from without, but from within our own leaders of government. The repulsion of creeping fascism will not be cheaply gained but it will most certainly be glorious.  -- Dick, Fort Worth      2
"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire  -- Dan, New Market, MD      2 3
-- Joe, Rochester, MI
-- David L. Rosenthal , Hollywood, Florida
On a scale of 1-10, this quote is an 11.  -- Me Again, Somewhere USA      1
This hangs on the wall in my office...right below a photograph of the WTC on 9-11: "Our flag was still there....":  -- Mike, Houston      1
I like this quote.I strongly agree to this.  -- Marriane Vidal, Iloilo City, Philippines      1
Inspiring words for troubled times  -- Justin, Salt Lake City      2
great comments  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
One of my all time favorite quotes, absolutely brilliant!  -- Logan, Memphis, TN      1
Steady as she goes! Paine what a guy! Right now we need a heavy dose of steady as she goes philosophy. The modern "sunshine" guys are the so called financiers that keep ripping off our people and our country, World Com, Enron, Countrywide. When are we going to stay constantly awake and regulate these clowns.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Right on Mike from Houston -- this is on my wall too. See it every day.  -- Dougmcr8, Springfield, VA
An Excellant quote!! 10,000 stars!! "The eyes of Truth can not be fooled.Real Eyes -Realize-Real Lies.Tyranny will be over-ruled.Real Eyes-Realize-Real Lies.Terrorism is the seed of evil that will always feed on hate but it will not succeed 'cause Real Eyes-Realize-Real Lies"."Perception is a tricky thing and doubt will lead to questioning.As every summer follows spring-Real Eyes-Realize-Real Lies." (from "Real Eyes" by Kevin Shearer  -- Kevin Shearer      1
Prophetic on both fronts - the military complex and oil business invasion of Iraq which provides them fat profits while taking the bread out of the mouths of the poor - we have no shame, summer soldiers and sunshine patriots... It's amazing, we put in Prison a guy for dope and yet we allow corporations and government to be free after raping the poor and causing death and destruction to thousands - Paine, where are you to rebuke such a time?  -- RobertSRQ      1
We have not yet begun to fight.  -- E Archer, NYC
The more I hear people speak, the more I grow hopeful. I was always thought to be a radical, but now it appears that eyes are opening. We that have eyes to see need to do all that we can to open the eyes of the blind. Be a voice crying out in the wilderness and most will wake up sooner or latter. Lincoln said " to go ahead faster than the country is willing to fallow will only cause mutiny. The cannon is loaded, and when it is fired I intend to have the people touch off the powder themselves" It should be mandatory for every American to read Paine's-- (The Rights of Man) and (Common Sense) This is just a taste of his brilliance. Reading Paine's work will hasten the opening of the eyes, I'm sure this is why this is not taught in school any more. Pray For Peace  -- Ken, Milford Pa      2
Ken can you prove that Thomas Paine is not taught in school?  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas      3
Ask any high school student who Thomas Paine is. Watch the blank stare. Now ask a college student and observe the confusion on their face. I spoke to a very proud graduate from Seton Hall University, who informed me that he had a History degree, and proved it by rattling off a mindless number of dates and names. I am sure that he was a very good student, as his grades were excellent. I asked him if he understood the importance of those names and dates. If he could tell me what effect those events had on world affairs and ensuing events. If he could see how they led up to, and caused, or prevented, helpful or hurtful reactions, and how he could apply this in his life, as well as use them to guide others. He looked at me like I threw a bucket of sand into his motor. I am sorry if I sound Jaded, but after my experience in the Marines, and Viet Nam, as well as what I see going on today, I have concluded that these people running our country cannot be this dumb. They are doing this by intelligent design. We are watching the dumbing down of the American people while they are dismantling our country. Why would they do this? For their personal profit, and to create a future (one world government) so they can have absolute power. Tyrants have no limits, they are relentless, and are never satisfied. They must be forcibly stopped, or they will destroy everything. All I want is peace in my life, and a better future for the next generations, but sometimes you need to fight for it. Peace Profound to all.  -- Ken, Milford Pa      7
Waffler, can you prove that he is? Not just the historical facts that "Thomas Paine lived from 1737 to 1809 and wrote the stirring script 'Common Sense' from which many of the Colonialists began the Revolutionary War", but the actual substance of what he's talking about? Concerning what he talks about in "Rights of Man" when he plainly lays out exactly what our Constitution was to be (as what it was not), as well as his other well published works? Can you prove that any public schools actually TEACH the doctrines, principles, beliefs, and history leading up to the founding fathers in such a way that high school students will grasp a clear and undeniable knowledge of the philosophy and reason behind the revolution? I agree with Ken, names and dates are readily taught, but the basic principles, ideas, and foundational philosophy of the ancients is sadly lost in our public educational systems. Very well said, Ken.  -- Logan, Memphis, TN      3
Public schools are there to distort history so as to make the future populace naught but sheep. If every one knew and understood the simple concepts of our founding fathers we would have never have a country run by wafflers.  -- warren, olathe      5
Actually, I'm doing a speech on this quote in school. Which I think is great, as he is one of the most important philosophers in the history of this country.  -- Sarah, Buffalo, NY      3
I am a high school student in North Carolina, and not only were we assigned a short essay on this quote, but we are also reading excerpts from "Common Sense," "The Crisis," and "The Rights of Man" during class. I have been visiting this site for a while, and I see far too many of these jaded comments implying that nothing good ever happens any more, and everything and everybody that was worth anything is part of the past. Good things are happening all around, and the future is not as bleak as you all seem to think. Have heart!  -- Mary Helen, Nashville, NC      3
Imagine no countries, one world, one race, the human race. It's easy if you try.  -- Anonymous, north of the 49th      2
Where is the land of the free and home of the brave? They have been replaced by immoral summer soldiers and sunshine patriots, shrinking from the service of their God, country, family and the crisis of their representation (government) sexually molesting America's wives and children. Most men have been emasculated (incapable of standing up for moral representation and execution) and as obvious victims of Stockholm Syndrome supporting (by sheepishly not confronting criminal sexual predators) law's, virtue's inalienable rights' and justice's demise. Where are the men standing in line protesting (at least verbally) when the nation's wives and children are being sexually abused? Nazi's where basically doing the same thing that Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin is doing in the statist theocracy that is now infesting this land. America, MAN UP ! ! !, and keep your powder dry.  -- Mike, Norwalk      3
Please God, Give American Patriots the strength to thwart One World Government Tyranny. The "Global Village" is a myth and the way it's being put upon is designed to have us (in our ignorance) skipping cheerfully into One World slavery.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      2
Wow! everyone is up so early. Yes, a true patriot is the person that stands up to the tyranny of its government not the frailty of issues told them through the machinery of propaganda and nationalistic rhetoric. A true patriot questions authority not from the couch but from the streets - Archer, you are right!!! Anyway, enough of all that; HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL.  -- RBESRQ      2
We have just begun...and will continue...for we are many and growing in strength and number. Sovereignty...  -- Abigail
-- Publius
Not only do we take our freedoms for granted, we think that we can go fight another's country's battle for them and think they will value the freedom we afford them at the cost of our own blood. What they have not earned with their own sweat, blood, and tears will not be appreciated. I say it's time to let the Iraqis and Afghanistanis take on much more responsibility and let them struggle for their own freedoms. Otherwise, when we leave, they will give them up for security n a heart beat.  -- GunnyCee, Durham      1
-- Rusty, Where the Buffalo Roam
-- Ron, Salem
This generation was born into freedom, and would gladly give it up for the promise of security. I have always spoken of it highly in school and have been mocked for doing so. America must experience a " new birth of freedom" lest this nation "perish from the earth", but this generation in its ignorance would sell their birth right for a mess of potage, and the generation that loses freedom shall not taste of it again.  -- Lincoln, Middleton      1
By the way Ken I'm a 10th grader and I feel your pain. I agree with your statement entirely and am glad there are still great men and women out there that have not lost their heritage, and revere the greatest American generation. P.S. nothing I have said was supplied to me by a public educator :)  -- Lincoln, Middleton      2
i liked this man even before i went to nam, this holds true over the g.o.p  -- J.C.W, U.P
A quotation for all time.  -- Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT
Wonderful a quote from the freedom fighting Thomas Paine. It is sad to think about today how many are "The summer soldiers" and the "sunshine patriots" who will sell out their and everyone else's liberties for overreaching government securities that undermine our freedoms.  -- Mary - MI      2
WWG1WGA, times have change, the storm is upon us. MAGA   -- Ronw13, OR
Can anyone prove any negative statement?  -- Durham, Birmingham,AL      1
I repeat, we need a separation of school and state.  -- Durham, Birmingham,AL      3
And it would be ruled by one government, the International Association of Dictators and Tyrants, a/k/a the UN.  -- Durham, Birmingham,AL      3
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered".  We have been fighting the tyranny of socialism for a long time and have not conquered it yet.  Back before it got its current name, settlers in this country were thankful (Thanksgiving) for survival after changing from a system of common wealth to one of freedom of enterprise and private ownership.  Some states still call themselves Commonwealths today.  -- Durham, Birmingham,AL
10 stars at least.  -- jim k, Austin
-- Mary-MI
John Lennon also wrote in this song "Imagine there's no Heaven, Its easy if you try.  No hell below us, above us only sky."   -- S. Tuttle, Monaca, PA      1
-- Al, North Hollywood
Going up on my classroomw wall  -- Al, North Hollywood
No Paine, no gain?  -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

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