"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. Government, like dress, is
the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the
ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience
clear, uniform and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other
lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to
surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection
of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in
every other case advises him, out of two evils to choose the least.
Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it
unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to
ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is
preferable to all others."
Thomas Paine, Common Sense, Pt. 1: Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution.
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Everywhere you look in Paine's writings there is light. Surely one of the great minds in human history.
ReplyDeleteDave, agree. I never tire of reading Paine's writings. Thanks for your comment and apologies for my tardy forward to the blog. I've been a little remiss of late, but will try to be more on top of it in future. Best, KB.
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