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Quote from Thomas Paine,

"Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher."



By:

Thomas Paine (more quotes by Thomas Paine or books by/about Thomas Paine)


(1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author

Source:

Common Sense, February 14, 1776

Categories:

Freedom, Government, Morals, Police, Society, Courage, Liberty

Rating:

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