Question

name
thomas paine’s common sense
primary source quote from common sense | my analysis / in my words...
“a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. but the tumult soon subsides. time makes more converts than reason.” |
“society is produced by our wants, and government by 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.” |
“one of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.” |
“for all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have the right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever, and tho himself might deserve some decent degree of honours of his cotemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them.” |
“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...” |
“small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.” |
“in england a king hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation and set it together by the ears. a pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed 800,000 sterling a year for, and worshipped into the bargain! of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of god, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.” |

Explanation:

To analyze these quotes from Common Sense, we'll break down each one:

1. First Quote

• Analysis: Paine argues that tradition (custom) can seem right due to long - held habits, but over time, people come to see the truth, even more so than through reason. It’s a critique of blindly following old ways.

2. Second Quote

• Analysis: Society comes from human needs (uniting us positively), while government arises from human wickedness (restraining vices, creating distinctions). He contrasts society as a “patron” and government as a “punisher”.

3. Third Quote

• Analysis: Paine mocks hereditary monarchy. He says nature “disapproves” of it, using the metaphor of a bad ruler (an “ass” instead of a “lion”) to show the absurdity of passing power by birth.

4. Fourth Quote

• Analysis: He rejects hereditary privilege. Since all are born equal, no one should have a permanent, exclusive right to power (like a family dynasty), as descendants may be unworthy.

5. Fifth Quote

• Analysis: Society is good, but government is a “necessary evil” (best case) or “intolerable” (worst). Even in good government, suffering under it is worse because we fund our own oppression.

6. Sixth Quote

• Analysis: He criticizes colonial rule (Britain governing America). A small island (Britain) ruling a continent (America) is absurd, especially as America can’t protect itself like small islands needing care.

7. Seventh Quote

• Analysis: Paine attacks the British monarchy. The king’s role (war, giving titles) harms the nation, yet he’s paid and worshipped. He values honest individuals over “crowned ruffians” (corrupt monarchs).

These analyses explain Paine’s anti - monarchy, pro - republican, and pro - American independence ideas, breaking down his critiques of tradition, government, and British rule.

Answer:

To analyze these quotes from Common Sense, we'll break down each one:

1. First Quote

• Analysis: Paine argues that tradition (custom) can seem right due to long - held habits, but over time, people come to see the truth, even more so than through reason. It’s a critique of blindly following old ways.

2. Second Quote

• Analysis: Society comes from human needs (uniting us positively), while government arises from human wickedness (restraining vices, creating distinctions). He contrasts society as a “patron” and government as a “punisher”.

3. Third Quote

• Analysis: Paine mocks hereditary monarchy. He says nature “disapproves” of it, using the metaphor of a bad ruler (an “ass” instead of a “lion”) to show the absurdity of passing power by birth.

4. Fourth Quote

• Analysis: He rejects hereditary privilege. Since all are born equal, no one should have a permanent, exclusive right to power (like a family dynasty), as descendants may be unworthy.

5. Fifth Quote

• Analysis: Society is good, but government is a “necessary evil” (best case) or “intolerable” (worst). Even in good government, suffering under it is worse because we fund our own oppression.

6. Sixth Quote

• Analysis: He criticizes colonial rule (Britain governing America). A small island (Britain) ruling a continent (America) is absurd, especially as America can’t protect itself like small islands needing care.

7. Seventh Quote

• Analysis: Paine attacks the British monarchy. The king’s role (war, giving titles) harms the nation, yet he’s paid and worshipped. He values honest individuals over “crowned ruffians” (corrupt monarchs).

These analyses explain Paine’s anti - monarchy, pro - republican, and pro - American independence ideas, breaking down his critiques of tradition, government, and British rule.