Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a Government, which we might expect in a country without Government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) American political philosopher and writer
Common Sense, “On the Origin and Design of Government in General” (14 Feb 1776)
    (Source)

 
Added on 26-Jan-11 | Last updated 17-Feb-21
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , ,
More quotes by Paine, Thomas

Thoughts? Comments? Corrections? Feedback?