Thomas Paine Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance."

by:	Thomas Paine (1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author
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Categories:	Fear, Power, Resistance, Strength
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Reader comments about this quote:

Not only are Americans being dumbed down, they are being conditioned to submit to anyone who demands their money or their life. Freedom required courage and the power to defend oneself on many levels. Resist assimilation to the Borg! -- E Archer, NYC 2
Let us hope that the last election was at least the start of resistance to the current misfits running the government. It's like the joke, what do you have with a thousand lawers tied up at the bottom of the ocean. A good start. -- jim k, Austin,Tx
I love that guy.... What a great Atheist. -- RBESRQ 1
Resistance to tyranny is a duty and fear must be controlled, or channeled...into anger. -- J Carlton, Calgary 1
wow, that gives great meaning to the statist theocracy that is infesting this land's propaganda. RBESRQ, you must be referring to Paine after his ego was bruised, became an angry alcoholic, and cursed God for his plight. The great works he was known for were while he professed Christ. -- Mike, Norwalk
-- Anonymous
Mike, rubbish read his early works... -- RBESRQ 1
Every society gets the government it deserves. Even in a state of despotism, the people have the choice to kiss the feet of the tyrant or look him in the eye. When the throne of power is contrary to the will of the people, it is not just their right, its their duty to resist. A people must fight despotism, so that their children won't have to. If its fear that pulls them to their knees, than that's exactly where they belong. -- Publius, USA 1
Something to accompany Paine from S. Adams: “Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say 'what should be the reward of such sacrifices?' Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” -- J Carlton, Calgary 1
" Beside, Sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." Patrick Henry -- Ronw13, Oregon 1
Quite the contrary, Paine being a Deist, who was disenchanted by organized religion, still believed in the Creator and intervention. As are many today disenchanted by organized religions which preach socialism rather than liberty and freedom from oppression. Oppression through fear is not very becoming of a Freed people, whether church or state. -- Ronw13, Oregon 1
-- jim k, Austin
-- Mary, MI

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