"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
(1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author |
Source: | Common Sense, February 14, 1776 |
| |
