Thomas Paine Quotes about Politics

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When extraordinary power and extraordinary pay are allotted to any individual in a government, he becomes the center, round which every kind of corruption generates and forms.

When extraordinary power and extraordinary pay are allotted to any individual in a government, he becomes the center, round which every kind of corruption generates and forms.

Thomas Paine

Government, Political, Politics

Thomas Paine (2013). “The Thomas Paine Reader”, p.343, Simon and Schuster

It is not because a part of the government is elective, that makes it less a despotism, if the persons so elected, possess afterwards, as a parliament, unlimited powers. Election, in this case, becomes separated from representation, and the candidates are candidates for despotism.

Thomas Paine

Government, Political, Politics

Thomas Paine (1824). “The Political Writings of Thomas Paine: Secretary to the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the American Revolution : to which is Prefixed a Brief Sketch of the Author's Life”, p.186

If those to whom power is delegated do well, they will be respected; if not, they will be despised.

Thomas Paine

Political, Politics, Wells

Thomas Paine (1791). “Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution”, p.51

It is painful to behold a man employing his talents to corrupt himself.

Thomas Paine

Men, Political, Politics

Thomas Paine (1791). “Rights of Man”, p.26

Public money ought to be touched with the most scrupulous consciousness of honor.

Thomas Paine

Political, Honor, Politics

Thomas Paine, John P. Kaminski (2002). “Citizen Paine: Thomas Paine's Thoughts on Man, Government, Society, and Religion”, p.47, Rowman & Littlefield

All men can understand what representation is; and that it must necessarily include a variety of knowledge and talents.

Thomas Paine

Men, Political, Politics

Thomas Paine (1856). “Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution”, p.97

"Government," says Swift, "is a plain thing, and fitted to the capacity of many heads."

Thomas Paine

Government, Political, Politics

Thomas Paine (2011). “Rights of Man”, p.231, Broadview Press

In the progress of politics, as in the common occurrences of life, we are not only apt to forget the ground we have travelled over, but frequently neglect to gather up experiences as we go.

Thomas Paine

Travel, Progress, Politics

Thomas Paine (1830). “Brief sketch of the life of Thomas Paine. Common sense. Epistle to Quakers. The crisis. Public good. Letter to the Abbe Raynal. Dissertations on government, the affairs of the bank, and paper money. Miscellaneous”, p.99