Thomas Paine

"These are the times that try men's souls."

"The mind of man is capable of anything."

"Wars are the harvests of governments."

"The sun never sets on my principles."

"I prefer peace; but if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace."

"Reading and writing were the means by which I accomplished my own emancipation."

"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."

"It is forbidden to forbid."

"The enlightened of every nation will make allowances for the weakness of their country."

"A man's conscience is sacred and eternal."

"The strength of our movement has been truth."

"When falsehood can no longer be believed, it ceases to be believed."

"I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy."

"The honor of a nation is its life."

"The greatest refinement of any society consists in their treatment of the weak and unfortunate."

"Nature has left this tincture in the blood that all men would be tyrants if they could."

"Ignorance is preferable to error."

"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind."

"I love the man that can smile in trouble."

"The study of science teaches a man something of the wonderful works of nature."

"There is nothing so serious as ridicule."

"The more a man exposes himself to danger, the more he respects human life."

"Motive and end are the source of virtue."

"Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself in all cases as the ages and generations which preceded it."

"The true foundation of theology is to ascertain the character of God."

"The world will always follow those who can reason better."

"Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law."

"The greatest constitutions are written in the hearts of men."

"When a man is afflicted with poverty, he requires a thousand virtues to bear it."

"Those who labor for the benefit of the public should accept nothing in return."