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喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵
喔覆喔佮笡喔｀覆喔ㄠ笀喔侧竵喔涏覆喔佮竵喔侧競喔竾喔溹腹喙夃箑喔傕傅喔⑧笝 '喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵' 喔斷覆喔氞競喔竾 (喔堗腑喔｀箤喔�) 喔о腑喔娻复喔囙笗喔编笝喔佮箛喔勦竾喔佮抚喔编笖喙佮竵喔о箞喔囙腑喔⑧箞喔侧竾喔腹喔嵿箑喔涏弗喙堗覆鈥�
- 喔堗腑喔箤喔� 喔笖喔编浮喔箤 喔笝喔多箞喔囙箖喔權笟喔脆笖喔侧笢喔灌箟喔笘喔侧笡喔權覆喔斧喔｀副喔愢腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔�
"'喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵' (1776) 喙傕笖喔� 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 喔堗父喔ム釜喔侧福喔佮覆喔｀箑喔∴阜喔竾喔椸傅喙堗笚喔｀竾喔炧弗喔编竾喔椸傅喙堗釜喔膏笖喙冟笝喔涏福喔班抚喔编笗喔脆辅喔侧釜喔曕福喙屶竵喔侧福喙€喔∴阜喔竾喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔� 喔權赋喙€喔笝喔競喙夃腑喔栢竵喙€喔栢傅喔⑧竾喔椸傅喙堗竵喔｀赴喙佮笚喔佮竵喔ム覆喔囙箖喔堗笂喔侧抚喔覆喔撪覆喔權复喔勦浮 喔副喔權笝喔赤箘喔涏釜喔灌箞喔佮覆喔｀笗喔编笖喔复喔權箖喔堗笡喔｀赴喔佮覆喔ㄠ箑喔竵喔｀覆喔娻笀喔侧竵喔堗副喔佮福喔犩笧喔副喔囙竵喔む俯 喔副喔о箖喔堗竸喔粪腑喔佮覆喔｀抚喔脆笧喔侧竵喔┼箤喔｀赴喔氞腑喔氞竵喔┼副喔曕福喔脆涪喙屶笚喔掂箞喔福喙夃覆喔囙福喔班笟喔氞竵喔侧福喔涏竵喔勦福喔竾喔堗覆喔佮竵喔侧福喔阜喔氞浮喔｀笖喔佮笚喔侧竾喔勦福喔笟喔勦福喔编抚 喙冟笝喔傕笓喔班箑喔斷傅喔⑧抚喔佮副喔權竵喙囙箑喔笝喔笭喔侧笧喔椸傅喙堗箑喔笝喔粪腑喔佮抚喙堗覆喔傕腑喔囙福喔班笟喔笟喔∴斧喔侧笂喔權福喔编笎喔椸傅喙堗浮喔侧笀喔侧竵喔涏福喔班笂喔侧笂喔� 喙佮笗喙堗笚喔掂箞喔赋喔勦副喔嵿涪喔脆箞喔囙竸喔粪腑喔堗父喔斷斧喔∴覆喔⑧競喔竾喔佮覆喔｀笡喔佮竸喔｀腑喔囙箒喔ム赴喔｀副喔愢笟喔侧弗 喔о箞喔侧笗喙夃腑喔囙箑喔涏箛喔權竵喔侧福喔涏竵喔勦福喔竾喙€喔炧阜喙堗腑喔勦抚喔侧浮喔斷傅喔囙覆喔∴競喔竾喔箞喔о笝喔｀抚喔� 喙勦浮喙堗箖喔娻箞喔傕腑喔囙腑喔犩复喔复喔椸笜喔脆箤喔娻笝喙€喔椸箞喔侧笝喔编箟喔欌€�
- 喔樴箑喔權辅 喔覆喔犩福喔撪箤喔父喔о福喔｀笓
"喙傕腑喙�! 喔溹腑喔囙笚喙堗覆喔權笢喔灌箟喔｀副喔佮浮喔權父喔┼涪喔娻覆喔曕复 喔溹腑喔囙笚喙堗覆喔權笢喔灌箟喔佮弗喙夃覆喔勦副喔斷竸喙夃覆喔權笚喔编箟喔囙福喔班笟喔笟喙€喔溹笖喙囙笀喔佮覆喔｀箒喔ム赴喔溹腹喙夃笡喔佮竸喔｀腑喔囙笚喔｀福喔侧笂 喔堗竾喔佮箟喔侧抚喔腑喔佮浮喔侧箑喔栢复喔�! 喔椸父喔佮斧喔⑧箞喔浮喔笉喙夃覆喔氞笝喙傕弗喔佮箖喔氞箑喔佮箞喔侧弗喙夃抚喔權笘喔灌竵喔勦福喔笟喔囙赋喔斷箟喔о涪喔佮覆喔｀竵喔斷競喔掂箞 喙€喔福喔掂笭喔侧笧喔栢腹喔佮箘喔ム箞喔ム箞喔侧箘喔涏笚喔编箞喔о箓喔ム竵鈥�
- 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 喙冟笝 '喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵'
- 喔堗腑喔箤喔� 喔笖喔编浮喔箤 喔笝喔多箞喔囙箖喔權笟喔脆笖喔侧笢喔灌箟喔笘喔侧笡喔權覆喔斧喔｀副喔愢腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔�
"'喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵' (1776) 喙傕笖喔� 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 喔堗父喔ム釜喔侧福喔佮覆喔｀箑喔∴阜喔竾喔椸傅喙堗笚喔｀竾喔炧弗喔编竾喔椸傅喙堗釜喔膏笖喙冟笝喔涏福喔班抚喔编笗喔脆辅喔侧釜喔曕福喙屶竵喔侧福喙€喔∴阜喔竾喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔� 喔權赋喙€喔笝喔競喙夃腑喔栢竵喙€喔栢傅喔⑧竾喔椸傅喙堗竵喔｀赴喙佮笚喔佮竵喔ム覆喔囙箖喔堗笂喔侧抚喔覆喔撪覆喔權复喔勦浮 喔副喔權笝喔赤箘喔涏釜喔灌箞喔佮覆喔｀笗喔编笖喔复喔權箖喔堗笡喔｀赴喔佮覆喔ㄠ箑喔竵喔｀覆喔娻笀喔侧竵喔堗副喔佮福喔犩笧喔副喔囙竵喔む俯 喔副喔о箖喔堗竸喔粪腑喔佮覆喔｀抚喔脆笧喔侧竵喔┼箤喔｀赴喔氞腑喔氞竵喔┼副喔曕福喔脆涪喙屶笚喔掂箞喔福喙夃覆喔囙福喔班笟喔氞竵喔侧福喔涏竵喔勦福喔竾喔堗覆喔佮竵喔侧福喔阜喔氞浮喔｀笖喔佮笚喔侧竾喔勦福喔笟喔勦福喔编抚 喙冟笝喔傕笓喔班箑喔斷傅喔⑧抚喔佮副喔權竵喙囙箑喔笝喔笭喔侧笧喔椸傅喙堗箑喔笝喔粪腑喔佮抚喙堗覆喔傕腑喔囙福喔班笟喔笟喔∴斧喔侧笂喔權福喔编笎喔椸傅喙堗浮喔侧笀喔侧竵喔涏福喔班笂喔侧笂喔� 喙佮笗喙堗笚喔掂箞喔赋喔勦副喔嵿涪喔脆箞喔囙竸喔粪腑喔堗父喔斷斧喔∴覆喔⑧競喔竾喔佮覆喔｀笡喔佮竸喔｀腑喔囙箒喔ム赴喔｀副喔愢笟喔侧弗 喔о箞喔侧笗喙夃腑喔囙箑喔涏箛喔權竵喔侧福喔涏竵喔勦福喔竾喙€喔炧阜喙堗腑喔勦抚喔侧浮喔斷傅喔囙覆喔∴競喔竾喔箞喔о笝喔｀抚喔� 喙勦浮喙堗箖喔娻箞喔傕腑喔囙腑喔犩复喔复喔椸笜喔脆箤喔娻笝喙€喔椸箞喔侧笝喔编箟喔欌€�
- 喔樴箑喔權辅 喔覆喔犩福喔撪箤喔父喔о福喔｀笓
"喙傕腑喙�! 喔溹腑喔囙笚喙堗覆喔權笢喔灌箟喔｀副喔佮浮喔權父喔┼涪喔娻覆喔曕复 喔溹腑喔囙笚喙堗覆喔權笢喔灌箟喔佮弗喙夃覆喔勦副喔斷竸喙夃覆喔權笚喔编箟喔囙福喔班笟喔笟喙€喔溹笖喙囙笀喔佮覆喔｀箒喔ム赴喔溹腹喙夃笡喔佮竸喔｀腑喔囙笚喔｀福喔侧笂 喔堗竾喔佮箟喔侧抚喔腑喔佮浮喔侧箑喔栢复喔�! 喔椸父喔佮斧喔⑧箞喔浮喔笉喙夃覆喔氞笝喙傕弗喔佮箖喔氞箑喔佮箞喔侧弗喙夃抚喔權笘喔灌竵喔勦福喔笟喔囙赋喔斷箟喔о涪喔佮覆喔｀竵喔斷競喔掂箞 喙€喔福喔掂笭喔侧笧喔栢腹喔佮箘喔ム箞喔ム箞喔侧箘喔涏笚喔编箞喔о箓喔ム竵鈥�
- 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 喙冟笝 '喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵'
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1776
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About the author
Thomas Paine
1,244听books1,723听followersThomas Paine was an English-American political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary. As the author of two highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, he inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnational human rights. He has been called "a corset maker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination".
Born in Thetford, England, in the county of Norfolk, Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin, arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776鈥�83), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."
Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote the Rights of Man (1791), in part a defence of the French Revolution against its critics. His attacks on British writer Edmund Burke led to a trial and conviction in absentia in 1792 for the crime of seditious libel. In 1792, despite not being able to speak French, he was elected to the French National Convention. The Girondists regarded him as an ally. Consequently, the Montagnards, especially Robespierre, regarded him as an enemy.
In December 1793, he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris, then released in 1794. He became notorious because of his pamphlet The Age of Reason (1793鈥�94), in which he advocated deism, promoted reason and freethinking, and argued against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular. He also wrote the pamphlet Agrarian Justice (1795), discussing the origins of property, and introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income. In 1802, he returned to America where he died on June 8, 1809. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized for his ridicule of Christianity.
Born in Thetford, England, in the county of Norfolk, Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin, arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776鈥�83), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."
Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote the Rights of Man (1791), in part a defence of the French Revolution against its critics. His attacks on British writer Edmund Burke led to a trial and conviction in absentia in 1792 for the crime of seditious libel. In 1792, despite not being able to speak French, he was elected to the French National Convention. The Girondists regarded him as an ally. Consequently, the Montagnards, especially Robespierre, regarded him as an enemy.
In December 1793, he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris, then released in 1794. He became notorious because of his pamphlet The Age of Reason (1793鈥�94), in which he advocated deism, promoted reason and freethinking, and argued against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular. He also wrote the pamphlet Agrarian Justice (1795), discussing the origins of property, and introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income. In 1802, he returned to America where he died on June 8, 1809. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized for his ridicule of Christianity.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,391 reviews
March 31, 2024
"Time makes more converts than reason." 鈥� Thomas Paine
And with that early quote, this reader steadily became enthralled with a founding father. I sincerely wish this novella-sized essay had been required reading while I was still in high school鈥攐r at any point in my education, for that matter.
(Okay, if I'm being honest, my teenage self wanted history explained to me something like this...)
But seriously... the read I thought was going to be a necessary slog turned out to be not only insightful, but genuinely entertaining. Laden with passionate wisdom, scathing wit, and intellectual wherewithal, it's little wonder this renowned 'pamphlet' became the rallying cry for American independence from Britain. Paine was as bold as he was brilliant. In the context of his time period, it's fascinating to realize he was committing treason by laying out this multi-layered argument calling for revolution. And he did so without apology.
(In fact, there were numerous points where one can't help but suppose Paine was offering the British monarchy the literary equivalent of his middle finger.)
* 鈥淢ale and female are distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or misery.鈥�
* 鈥淕overnment by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention of the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the christian world hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of splendor is crumbling to dust!鈥�
* 鈥淥ne 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.鈥� (emphasis is mine.)
Oooooh, snap!
* 鈥淢en who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.鈥�
* 鈥淚n short, monarchy and succession have laid (not this or that kingdom only) but the world in blood and ashes. Tis a form of government which the word of God bears testimony against, and blood will attend it.鈥�
* 鈥淥蹿 more worth is one honest man to society and the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.鈥�
This is pretty much what he was getting at, in a nutshell:
I was also somewhat surprised to find that a noteworthy chunk of Paine's reasoning came out of a solid contextual grasp of scripture, along with a propensity for calling out those who'd twisted or withheld it for their own purposes.
* 鈥淎s exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings.鈥�
* 鈥淭hat the Almighty hath here entered his protest against monarchical government is true, or the scripture is false. And a man hath good reason to believe that there is as much king-craft, as priest-craft, in withholding the scripture from the public in Popish countries. For monarchy in every instance is the Popery of government.鈥�
---------------
Outspoken political revolutionary. Champion of equality. Solicitor of common sense. Thomas Paine is a true national treasure鈥攁n intrepid man whose tongue be both silver and sharp.
Okay...so, it's possible I've developed a small crush on a guy who died 200 years ago. >.>
I only regret that I didn't get to this piece of work sooner. It's put me in a mood to brush up on American History. :)
And with that early quote, this reader steadily became enthralled with a founding father. I sincerely wish this novella-sized essay had been required reading while I was still in high school鈥攐r at any point in my education, for that matter.
(Okay, if I'm being honest, my teenage self wanted history explained to me something like this...)
But seriously... the read I thought was going to be a necessary slog turned out to be not only insightful, but genuinely entertaining. Laden with passionate wisdom, scathing wit, and intellectual wherewithal, it's little wonder this renowned 'pamphlet' became the rallying cry for American independence from Britain. Paine was as bold as he was brilliant. In the context of his time period, it's fascinating to realize he was committing treason by laying out this multi-layered argument calling for revolution. And he did so without apology.
(In fact, there were numerous points where one can't help but suppose Paine was offering the British monarchy the literary equivalent of his middle finger.)
* 鈥淢ale and female are distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or misery.鈥�
* 鈥淕overnment by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention of the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the christian world hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of splendor is crumbling to dust!鈥�
* 鈥淥ne 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.鈥� (emphasis is mine.)
Oooooh, snap!
* 鈥淢en who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.鈥�
* 鈥淚n short, monarchy and succession have laid (not this or that kingdom only) but the world in blood and ashes. Tis a form of government which the word of God bears testimony against, and blood will attend it.鈥�
* 鈥淥蹿 more worth is one honest man to society and the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.鈥�
This is pretty much what he was getting at, in a nutshell:
I was also somewhat surprised to find that a noteworthy chunk of Paine's reasoning came out of a solid contextual grasp of scripture, along with a propensity for calling out those who'd twisted or withheld it for their own purposes.
* 鈥淎s exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings.鈥�
* 鈥淭hat the Almighty hath here entered his protest against monarchical government is true, or the scripture is false. And a man hath good reason to believe that there is as much king-craft, as priest-craft, in withholding the scripture from the public in Popish countries. For monarchy in every instance is the Popery of government.鈥�
---------------
Outspoken political revolutionary. Champion of equality. Solicitor of common sense. Thomas Paine is a true national treasure鈥攁n intrepid man whose tongue be both silver and sharp.
Okay...so, it's possible I've developed a small crush on a guy who died 200 years ago. >.>
I only regret that I didn't get to this piece of work sooner. It's put me in a mood to brush up on American History. :)
September 5, 2023
鈥淎 pamphlet called 鈥楥ommonsense鈥� makes a great noise. One of the vilest things that ever was published to the world. Full of false representations, lies, calumny, and treason, whose principles are to subvert all Kingly Governments and erect an Independent Republic.鈥� ~Nicholas Cresswell
One could argue that without Thomas Paine鈥檚 Common Sense of January 1776, there would be no American Declaration of Independence of July 1776. True there was discontent and animosity between England and Colonial America but prior to Paine鈥檚 polemic the prevailing sentiment was weighted toward reconciliation, not rebellion.
鈥淗ave you read the pamphlet 鈥楥ommon Sense?鈥� I never saw such a masterful performance... In short, I own myself convinced, by the arguments, of the necessity of separation.鈥� ~General Charles Lee
Paine himself was originally a British loyalist, but the battles of Lexington and Concord* (April 1775) changed his mind.
鈥淣o man was a warmer wisher for reconciliation than myself, before the fatal nineteenth of April 1775, but the moment the event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened, sullen tempered Pharaoh of England for ever; and disdain the wretch, that with the pretended title of FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE can unfeelingly hear of their slaughter, and composedly sleep with their blood upon his soul.鈥� (pg 48)
Say what you will, Paine was a masterful wordsmith. The simple eloquence and ethical reasoning of Common Sense (which, by the way, he published anonymously) helped transform the collective conscience of the colonies. If ever there was required reading of early American history, this is it.
鈥淥蹿 Common Sense it can be said, without any risk of clich茅, that it was a catalyst that altered the course of history.鈥� ~Christopher Hitchens
*NOTE: The Battles of Lexington and Concord were considered a major military victory for King George III and his soldiers. Many colonial minutemen were killed, making it clear that any behavior that was deemed contrary to the King鈥檚 interest would not be tolerated.
One could argue that without Thomas Paine鈥檚 Common Sense of January 1776, there would be no American Declaration of Independence of July 1776. True there was discontent and animosity between England and Colonial America but prior to Paine鈥檚 polemic the prevailing sentiment was weighted toward reconciliation, not rebellion.
鈥淗ave you read the pamphlet 鈥楥ommon Sense?鈥� I never saw such a masterful performance... In short, I own myself convinced, by the arguments, of the necessity of separation.鈥� ~General Charles Lee
Paine himself was originally a British loyalist, but the battles of Lexington and Concord* (April 1775) changed his mind.
鈥淣o man was a warmer wisher for reconciliation than myself, before the fatal nineteenth of April 1775, but the moment the event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened, sullen tempered Pharaoh of England for ever; and disdain the wretch, that with the pretended title of FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE can unfeelingly hear of their slaughter, and composedly sleep with their blood upon his soul.鈥� (pg 48)
Say what you will, Paine was a masterful wordsmith. The simple eloquence and ethical reasoning of Common Sense (which, by the way, he published anonymously) helped transform the collective conscience of the colonies. If ever there was required reading of early American history, this is it.
鈥淥蹿 Common Sense it can be said, without any risk of clich茅, that it was a catalyst that altered the course of history.鈥� ~Christopher Hitchens
*NOTE: The Battles of Lexington and Concord were considered a major military victory for King George III and his soldiers. Many colonial minutemen were killed, making it clear that any behavior that was deemed contrary to the King鈥檚 interest would not be tolerated.
August 11, 2020
One of the most important works from any writer during the American War for Independence. During the darkest days of the struggle, Gen. George Washington reportedly had Paine's work read to his troops to inspire them to hold on during the months of squalor, danger, cold, and deprivation. I dare say that Paine's works like this one led to America's ultimate victory over the Empire seeking its reconquest.
December 19, 2020
12/19/20: This review continues to be a source of great annoyance. Since I can鈥檛 mute the comment section, I鈥檒l just put a little message here: don鈥檛 comment. I don鈥檛 read the comments anymore and I don鈥檛 care what you have to say. I don鈥檛 want to discuss this silly non-review I wrote when I was 16; I haven鈥檛 thought about this particular piece of literature in years. If you鈥檙e so terribly offended that a stranger on the internet dislikes a pamphlet written 244 years ago, please consider doing the following: take a deep breath, step away from your computer, go for a walk, reevaluate your life choices, and, failing all that, jump off a cliff.
October 4, 2021
I feel a bit ashamed that this is the first time that I have read Common Sense in its entirety. It is a piece of American history that deserves our attention and respect. It is easy to see why it affected people of its time in the way that it did, as it is clearly and simply written and sets forth in undeniable logic the issues in question at the time.
Masterfully titled, Paine鈥檚 points do indeed seem to be common sense. I was particularly struck by his deft destruction of the divine right of kings and the portion of the pamphlet that dealt with the construction of a navy. I cannot believe that, had I been a citizen of this time, I would have hesitated to grasp his logic and embrace the ideas he put forth.
He is often credited with having a huge influence on the decision that was taken by many to risk everything in order to sever ties with George III and win independence from English rule. While his writing was passionate, his thoughts were solid and did not smack of any unbridled dislike of the English as much as a thoughtful study of the problem and an almost unavoidable conclusion.
One fact that I was surprised by, and did not remember ever having come across in any history class, was that he had only been in America for two years prior to writing this treatise extolling separation. I wonder what the more established 鈥渇ounding fathers鈥� thought of that, since many had already been here for generations.
I think you have to give this 5鉁�'s for its historical value, its impact, and its writing style.
Masterfully titled, Paine鈥檚 points do indeed seem to be common sense. I was particularly struck by his deft destruction of the divine right of kings and the portion of the pamphlet that dealt with the construction of a navy. I cannot believe that, had I been a citizen of this time, I would have hesitated to grasp his logic and embrace the ideas he put forth.
He is often credited with having a huge influence on the decision that was taken by many to risk everything in order to sever ties with George III and win independence from English rule. While his writing was passionate, his thoughts were solid and did not smack of any unbridled dislike of the English as much as a thoughtful study of the problem and an almost unavoidable conclusion.
One fact that I was surprised by, and did not remember ever having come across in any history class, was that he had only been in America for two years prior to writing this treatise extolling separation. I wonder what the more established 鈥渇ounding fathers鈥� thought of that, since many had already been here for generations.
I think you have to give this 5鉁�'s for its historical value, its impact, and its writing style.
July 5, 2015
In observance of Independence Day I decided to read something to help me widen my knowledge on the history of the American Revolution.
Common Sense is 48 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, but published anonymously in January 10, 1776. The document which was published right at the beginning of the American Revolution argues in favor of America's independence from Great Britain.
Paine, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was born in England. He was a political activist, philosopher and revolutionary. Like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Paine's ideas were highly influenced by the Enlightenment movement.
239 years after it's publication, I found this short document interesting, remarkably accessible and easy to follow. Pamphlets were sort of like the Blogs of the times, it was a medium widely used to spread ideas and causes from the American Revolution to the Women's Suffrage to the Labor Movement.
Paine estimated that more than 500,000 copies of "Common Sense" had been sold, but many experts believe that this number is wildly inflated especially considering the total size of the population among the 13 Colonies and that there's not way to know for sure how many copies were distributed.
What remains undisputed is the important role this short document had in convincing many colonists that independence from Britain was the best course of action for America. It's considered to this day one of the most influential political documents in American history.
It's said that Washington gave copies of "Common Sense" to his soldier during battles in an effort to ignite their passion for their cause.
Paine stars his argument with a general reflections about government and religion, he later progresses onto the specifics of the colonial situation.
He then moves to discuss the differences between government and society, singing the praises and virtues of society and demonizing government and painting it as a necessary evil.
Paine spends some time criticizing Britain's political system and makes not effort to hide his disdain for the King and the monarchical political system.
On what he calls the "evils of monarchy and hereditary succession" he says:
For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and though himself might deserve some decent degree of honors of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them... Because such an unwise, unjust, unnatural compact might (perhaps) in the next succession put them under the government of a rogue or a fool.
Paine then moves to specifically address why the current time is the best to break from Britain. He believes that the colonies have nothing to gain and everything to lose by remaining under the King's rule. He mentions that by obtaining independence America could then move to continue doing business with Britain but also with the rest of Europe.
He proposes that the best political system for America would be that of a Representative democracy in which every colony has equal representation.
If you are interested in American history and want to learn a little bit about the American political zeitgeist of the times (and I would argue even of the present times), "Common Sense" is a mandatory read.
On a completely separate note (but still keeping with the patriotic theme of this review) here's a shout out to the US Women's Soccer team!
Go USA!
March 15, 2023
"How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"
January 9, 2023
鉁� 2 stars
~
[read for high school 鈥榡unior year鈥� great books class]
~
鈥淚鈥檝e been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine, some men say I am intense or I am insane.鈥�
~
this book is literally just about common sense, sorry but it鈥檚 not ground breaking or anything.
~
maybe this was grounding breaking back in the 1700鈥欌€檚 but not in this day & age
~
[read for high school 鈥榡unior year鈥� great books class]
~
鈥淚鈥檝e been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine, some men say I am intense or I am insane.鈥�
~
this book is literally just about common sense, sorry but it鈥檚 not ground breaking or anything.
~
maybe this was grounding breaking back in the 1700鈥欌€檚 but not in this day & age
March 23, 2010
4.5 stars. Scathing, derogatory rhetoric directed at the King of England in particular and the British in general designed to arouse the "passions" of the American colonists to embrace the idea of independence from Britian. From that standpoint, very few books in history have been as successful in achieving its goal. Almost 250 years later, this short book (better described as a long essay), still has the power to move you and make you feel the passion of the writer for his subject matter. A truly American writing and one that everyone shouod read from time to time.
March 8, 2024
2022-01-05
As folks who know their American history know, this book helped along the American Revolution greatly. It was by far the best read book of the time, except for the bible, of course. It sold possibly a million copies, in the colonies, where the typical estimate of total population was 2.5 million souls at the time. To put that in perspective, since the population of the US today is about 330 million, that would mean this little philosophical/historical/ideological book would sell about 160 million copies!!! What book today comes anywhere close to that?
BTW, I recommend reading this book with the current CRT (Critical Racism Theory) in mind. There is a reason the people who think racism is pervasive and the crucial issue in America now never site such founding documents as this book.
**
"These are the times that try men's souls."
You've heard that before, I'll bet.
Those are the opening words of Paine's far less famous, and less well read, but still very important book, "The Crisis." George Washington thought it so important and well done that he had it read out loud to his troops wintering in freezing Valley Forge, PA, to keep their spirits up.
Also highly recommended.
14 Feb. 2018
I read this in college in the mid-70s, and also listened to the audio book version a few years ago.
Great little statement about why tyranny must be stopped.
Lots of fascinating English and Roman history that will probably be new to modern readers, yet is very important for understanding how the United States came to be.
2024-03-08 edited - for clarity
As folks who know their American history know, this book helped along the American Revolution greatly. It was by far the best read book of the time, except for the bible, of course. It sold possibly a million copies, in the colonies, where the typical estimate of total population was 2.5 million souls at the time. To put that in perspective, since the population of the US today is about 330 million, that would mean this little philosophical/historical/ideological book would sell about 160 million copies!!! What book today comes anywhere close to that?
BTW, I recommend reading this book with the current CRT (Critical Racism Theory) in mind. There is a reason the people who think racism is pervasive and the crucial issue in America now never site such founding documents as this book.
**
"These are the times that try men's souls."
You've heard that before, I'll bet.
Those are the opening words of Paine's far less famous, and less well read, but still very important book, "The Crisis." George Washington thought it so important and well done that he had it read out loud to his troops wintering in freezing Valley Forge, PA, to keep their spirits up.
Also highly recommended.
14 Feb. 2018
I read this in college in the mid-70s, and also listened to the audio book version a few years ago.
Great little statement about why tyranny must be stopped.
Lots of fascinating English and Roman history that will probably be new to modern readers, yet is very important for understanding how the United States came to be.
2024-03-08 edited - for clarity
August 12, 2020
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- 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 -
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喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔箒喔涏弗喔椸傅喙堗浮喔掂笚喔掂箞喔∴覆喔堗覆喔佮抚喔侧福喔覆喔｀涪喔膏竸喔佮箞喔笝喔涏笍喔脆抚喔编笗喔脆腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔� 喔椸傅喙堗涪喔编竾喔勦竾喔∴傅喔勦抚喔侧浮 鈥溹腑喔⑧腹喙堗箑喔笝喔粪腑喔佮覆喔ム箑喔о弗喔测€� 喙冟笝喙€喔｀阜喙堗腑喔囙斧喔ム副喔佮竵喔侧福 喙€喔∴阜喙堗腑喔箞喔侧笝喔斷腹喙佮弗喙夃抚喔堗赴喙€喔傕箟喔侧箖喔堗箑喔ム涪喔о箞喔侧笚喔赤箘喔� 鈥溹釜喔侧浮喔编笉喔赋喔權付喔佲€� 喔堗付喔囙箑喔涏箛喔權斧喔權付喙堗竾喙冟笝喔娻父喔斷箑喔竵喔覆喔｀笚喔掂箞喙€喔氞复喔佮箑喔權笗喔｀箖喔箟喙€喔佮复喔斷笡喔｀覆喔佮笍喔佮覆喔｀笓喙屶笗喔侧釜喔о箞喔侧竾喔傕腑喔囙箑喔弗喙堗覆 鈥溹釜喔侧浮喔编笉喔娻笝鈥� 喔堗笝喙€喔佮复喔斷竵喔侧福喔涏笍喔脆抚喔编笗喔脆腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔� 喙佮弗喔班箒喔權箞喔權腑喔權抚喙堗覆喔复喙堗竾喔椸傅喙堗腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧笧喔⑧覆喔⑧覆喔∴涪喔多笖喔栢阜喔箑喔涏箛喔權腑喔膏笖喔∴竵喔侧福喔撪箤喔弗喔编竵喔傕腑喔囙笂喔侧笗喔脆竵喙囙釜喔侧浮喔侧福喔栢竸喙夃笝喔覆喙勦笖喙夃笀喔侧竵喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔箑喔ム箞喔∴笝喔掂箟
喙傕腑喙€喔勦弗喙堗赴 喔弗喔侧涪喙� 喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箖喔權斧喔權副喔囙釜喔粪腑喔∴副喔權笖喔灌笜喔｀福喔∴笖喔侧浮喔侧竵喙冟笝喔覆喔⑧笗喔侧競喔竾喔勦笝喔⑧父喔勦笡喔编笀喔堗父喔氞副喔� 喙佮笗喙堗腑喔⑧箞喔侧弗喔粪浮喔о箞喔侧箑喔炧笝 喙€喔傕傅喔⑧笝喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔箑喔ム箞喔∴笝喔掂箟喙冟笝喔氞福喔脆笟喔椸笚喔掂箞喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧箑喔涏箛喔權腑喔侧笓喔侧笝喔脆竸喔∴競喔竾喔副喔囙竵喔む俯 喔∴傅喔涏福喔班浮喔膏競喙€喔涏箛喔權竵喔┼副喔曕福喔脆涪喙屶箒喔箞喔囙腑喔编竾喔佮袱喔� 喙佮弗喔班箒喔權箞喔權腑喔權抚喙堗覆喔佮覆喔｀笗喙堗腑喔曕箟喔侧笝喔∴副喔權浮喔掂釜喔栢覆喔權赴喔佮笟喔�
喔曕箟喔竾喔栢覆喔∴抚喙堗覆喙冟笂喙夃笧喔ム副喔囙箖喔堗竞喔权覆喔断箘喔笝喔栢付喔囙竵喔ム箟喔侧浮喔掂箞喔堗赴喙赌喔傕傅喔⑧笝喔囙覆喔权笂喔脆箟喔权笝喔掂箟喔腑喔佮浮喔�
喔權箞喔侧笚喔多箞喔囙浮喔侧竵喔椸傅喙堗竸喔о覆喔∴竸喔脆笖喔傕腑喔囙箑喔福喔掂笂喔權笚喔掂箞喙勦浮喙堗箘喔斷箟喔∴傅喙冟笀喙€喔涏箛喔權笚喔侧釜喔涪喙堗覆喔� 喙傕笜喔∴副喔� 喙€喔炧笝 喔覆喔∴覆喔｀笘喔涏弗喔膏竵喙€喔｀箟喔侧箖喔箟喙€喔佮复喔斷竵喔侧福喔涏笍喔脆抚喔编笗喔脆笚喔掂箞喙€喔涏箛喔權浮喔侧竵喔佮抚喙堗覆喔佮覆喔｀箑喔涏弗喔掂箞喔⑧笝喙佮笡喔ム竾喔｀覆喔娻抚喔囙辅喙屶斧喔｀阜喔笢喔灌箟喔涏竵喔勦福喔竾喙勦笖喙夃腑喔⑧箞喔侧竾喔⑧副喙堗竾喔⑧阜喔�
喔椸傅喙堗抚喙堗覆喔⑧副喙堗竾喔⑧阜喔權竸喔粪腑喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧箘喔∴箞喙勦笖喙夃竵喔ム副喔氞箘喔涏斧喔侧福喔班笟喔笟喔佮俯喔编笗喔｀复喔⑧箤喔福喔粪腑喔｀赴喔氞腑喔氞腑喔侧笓喔侧笝喔脆竸喔∴腑喔掂竵喙€喔ム涪喙冟笝喔覆喔⑧笜喔侧福喔涏福喔班抚喔编笗喔脆辅喔侧釜喔曕福喙屶斧喔ム副喔囙笡喔忇复喔о副喔曕复 喔嬥付喙堗竾喔權副喙堗笝喔權箞喔侧笀喔班笧喔脆釜喔灌笀喔權箤喔о箞喔侧笀喔脆笗喔о复喔嵿笉喔侧笓喙€喔福喔掂笂喔權競喔竾喔勦笝喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箑喔炧笝喔∴副喔權笣喔编竾喔ム付喔佮箖喔權竸喔о覆喔∴箑喔涏箛喔權腑喙€喔∴福喔脆竵喔编笝喔堗福喔脆竾喙�
喙€喔炧傅喔⑧竾喙冟笂喙夃釜喔侧浮喔编笉喔赋喔權付喔� 喔勦父喔撪竵喙囙笀喔班笗喔侧釜喔о箞喔侧竾
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喔佮弗喙夃覆喔覆喔嵿浮喔侧竵
喙€喔∴阜喙堗腑喔箞喔侧笝喔｀腑喔氞笚喔掂箞喔腑喔囙涪喔脆箞喔囙笚喔赤箖喔箟喙€喔箛喔權笧喔ム副喔囙競喔竾喔勦笝喔覆喔∴副喔� common people 喙冟笝喔佮覆喔｀箖喔娻箟喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵 common sense 喔∴覆喔曕箞喔釜喔灌箟喔佮副喔氞腑喔赤笝喔侧笀喔權赋喔傕腑喔囙福喔班笟喔笟喔佮俯喔编笗喔｀复喔⑧箤喔椸傅喙堗釜喔粪笟喔椸腑喔斷竵喔编笝喔∴覆喙傕笖喔⑧笡喔｀覆喔ㄠ笀喔侧竵喔佮覆喔｀笗喔编箟喔囙竸喔赤笘喔侧浮 喔福喔粪腑喙勦浮喙堗浮喔掂箖喔勦福喔佮弗喙夃覆喔覆喔嵿浮喔侧竵喔炧腑喔椸傅喙堗笀喔班笡喙堗覆喔о笡喔｀赴喔佮覆喔ㄠ笘喔侧浮喙冟笝喔椸傅喙堗釜喔侧笜喔侧福喔撪赴
喔� 喔о副喔權笚喔掂箞喔曕箟喔權笁喔氞副喔� common sense 喔栢腹喔佮笗喔掂笧喔脆浮喔炧箤 喔溹浮喔堗复喔權笗喔權覆喔佮覆喔｀箘喔∴箞喔腑喔佮箑喔ム涪喔о箞喔侧釜喔编竾喔勦浮喙傕笟喔｀覆喔撪笀喔班笗喔笟喔笝喔竾喔曕箞喔斧喔權副喔囙釜喔粪腑喙€喔ム箞喔∴笝喔掂箟喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箘喔� 喔佮俯喔编笗喔｀复喔⑧箤喔副喔囙竵喔む俯喔堗赴喙冟笂喙夃腑喔赤笝喔侧笀喔傕腑喔囙笗喔權笟喔權箒喔溹箞喔權笖喔脆笝喔斧喔｀副喔愢腑喔⑧箞喔侧竾喙勦福喙€喔∴阜喙堗腑喙勦笖喙夃腑喙堗覆喔權斧喔權副喔囙釜喔粪腑喙€喔ム箞喔∴笝喔掂箟 喙佮弗喔班笚喔掂箞 common people 喔權副喙堗笝喙佮斧喔ム赴 喔堗赴喔∴傅 common sense 喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箘喔�
喙佮笗喙堗笚喔掂箞喙佮笝喙堗箚 喙€喔∴阜喙堗腑喔勦父喔撪斧喔о箞喔侧笝喙€喔∴弗喙囙笖喔炧副喔權笜喔膏箤喔勦抚喔侧浮喔勦复喔斷弗喔囙箘喔涏箒喔ム箟喔� 喙勦浮喙堗浮喔掂笚喔侧竾喙€喔ム涪喔椸傅喙堗笀喔班斧喙夃覆喔∴竸喔о覆喔∴竸喔脆笖喙勦浮喙堗箖喔箟喙€喔堗福喔脆笉喙€喔曕复喔氞箓喔曕箘喔斷箟
喔溹弗喔ム副喔炧笜喙屶笚喔掂箞喙€喔｀覆喙€喔箛喔權竵喔编笝喔勦阜喔竸喔о覆喔∴箑喔傕箟喔∴箒喔傕箛喔囙笚喔侧竾喔佮覆喔｀箑喔∴阜喔竾喔傕腑喔� common people 喙冟笝喔斷复喔權箒喔斷笝喔斧喔｀副喔� 喔椸傅喙堗浮喔编笝喔涪喔编箞喔囙福喔侧竵喔ム付喔� 喙佮弗喔班竾喔竵喔囙覆喔∴浮喔侧笘喔多竾喔涏副喔堗笀喔膏笟喔编笝
October 30, 2020
喔勦笝喔箞喔о笝喔∴覆喔佮笧喔灌笖喔栢付喔囙箑喔ム箞喔∴笝喔掂箟 喙冟笝喔箞喔о笝喔傕腑喔囙箑喔權阜喙夃腑喔覆喔椸傅喙堗箑喔炧笝喙冟笂喙� 喙€喙€喔曕箞喔溹浮喔о箞喔侧笀喔膏笖喙€喔斷箞喔權笀喔｀复喔囙箚喔傕腑喔囙箑喔炧笝 喔勦阜喔抚喔脆笜喔掂竵喔侧福喔笜喔脆笟喔侧涪 喔椸傅喙堗箖喔娻箟喔弗喔编竵喔佮覆喔｀箑喙€喔ム赴喙€喔笗喔膏笢喔ム笚喔编箞喔о箚喙勦笡 喔椸傅喙堗笡喔｀赴喔娻覆喔娻笝喙€喔斷复喔權笖喔脆笝 喔佮箛喔覆喔∴覆喔｀笘喔箞喔侧笝喙€喔傕箟喔侧箖喔堗箘喔斷箟 喙勦浮喙堗笀喔赤箑喔涏箛喔權笗喙夃腑喔囙斧喔⑧复喔氞涪喔粪浮喔氞副喔權箘喔斷笡喔掂笝喔傕付喙夃笝喙勦笡喔箞喔侧笝 喙€喔炧福喔侧赴喔箞喔о笝喔∴覆喔� 喙€喔權阜喙夃腑喔覆喔椸赋喔權腑喔囙笝喔掂箟 喔∴副喔佮浮喔掂辅喔编笧喔椸箤喙€喙€喔竾喔о复喔娻覆喔佮覆喔｀釜喔灌竾喔ム箟喔� 喙€喙€喔笖喔囙腑喔竵喔о箞喔侧竸喔權箑喔傕傅喔⑧笝喔權副喙夃笝喙€喔涏箛喔權笢喔灌箟喔∴傅喔犩腹喔∴复喔涏副喔嵿笉喔� 喙€喙€喔曕箞喔娻覆喔о笟喙夃覆喔權笚喔编箞喔о箘喔涏腑喙堗覆喔權箘喔∴箞喔｀腹喙夃箑喔｀阜喙堗腑喔� 喔囙覆喔權笡喔｀赴喙€喔犩笚喔權傅喙堗笀喔多竾喔斷腹喔抚喔⑧竾喔侧浮喙€喙€喔曕箞喔佮福喔笟 喙€喙€喔曕箞喙勦浮喙堗箘喔斷箟喔福喙夃覆喔囙腑喔脆浮喙€喙€喔炧箛喔勦腑喔班箘喔｀浮喔侧竵喔∴覆喔� 喔曕箞喔侧竾喔堗覆喔� 喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵喔傕腑喔囙箑喔炧笝 喙傕笖喔⑧釜喔脆箟喔權箑喔娻复喔�
喔涪喙堗覆喙勦笡喔佮弗喔编抚喔笝喙夃覆喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔抚喙堗覆喔∴副喔權笀喔班腑喙堗覆喔權涪喔侧竵喔權赴喔勦福喔编笟 喙€喔炧福喔侧赴喙冟笂喙夃箑喙€喔勦箞 鈥溹釜喔侧浮喔编笉喔赋喔權付喔佲€� 喔傕腑喔囙箑喔｀覆 喔佮箛喔箞喔侧笝喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箑喔傕箟喔侧箖喔堗箑喙€喔堗箞喔∴箑喙€喔堗箟喔囙箑喙€喔ム箟喔�
喔涪喙堗覆喙勦笡喔佮弗喔编抚喔笝喙夃覆喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔抚喙堗覆喔∴副喔權笀喔班腑喙堗覆喔權涪喔侧竵喔權赴喔勦福喔编笟 喙€喔炧福喔侧赴喙冟笂喙夃箑喙€喔勦箞 鈥溹釜喔侧浮喔编笉喔赋喔權付喔佲€� 喔傕腑喔囙箑喔｀覆 喔佮箛喔箞喔侧笝喔涪喙堗覆喔囙箑喔傕箟喔侧箖喔堗箑喙€喔堗箞喔∴箑喙€喔堗箟喔囙箑喙€喔ム箟喔�
March 14, 2018
That was a wonderful ride.
And yes, I tried to resist using this gif. (especially since the line itself isn't historically accurate- Thomas Paine published his world-changing pamphlet anonymously.) Desperately. But I couldn't help it.
Doesn't he just look like the sort who would spin around in his non-existent swivel chair, arms in the air, squealing "BUUURRRRRNNNNN!!!!!" whenever he wrote a snarky, hard-hitting line? I think so too. Could he have been a serious human, with the weight of a faultily-governed world on his shoulders? Yes. Do I choose to picture him squealing about snark anyway? Yes.
The truth is, whether he meant to or not, Paine came across as glorious sass. I was listening to this on audio while cleaning up dead dinosaurs, of course, but I may have laughed aloud on multiple occasions. Don't ask when you finally visit my museum and see the gash across a priceless specimen. It's much easier to blame a long-dead "inclined propagandist" and walk past. Please.
So here's a nice little summary... aka a review.... aka why I started typing in this little box anyway. Here goes.
I. Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution
Ahem. Actually, he makes perfect sense and writes everything out logically. But- pretty sure that's what he would have said if it was allowed.
II. Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
III. Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
IV. On the Present Ability of America, With Some Miscellaneous Reflections
So there you have it! The United States of America: a birthing guide. As a historically significant document, it ranks with the Declaration of Independence; as a well-reasoned thesis, it trumps every college paper I've had the misfortune to read; as a lovely bit of early American sass... well, it's up to you to decide. Go read it.
And yes, I tried to resist using this gif. (especially since the line itself isn't historically accurate- Thomas Paine published his world-changing pamphlet anonymously.) Desperately. But I couldn't help it.
"a corset maker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination!"
Doesn't he just look like the sort who would spin around in his non-existent swivel chair, arms in the air, squealing "BUUURRRRRNNNNN!!!!!" whenever he wrote a snarky, hard-hitting line? I think so too. Could he have been a serious human, with the weight of a faultily-governed world on his shoulders? Yes. Do I choose to picture him squealing about snark anyway? Yes.
The truth is, whether he meant to or not, Paine came across as glorious sass. I was listening to this on audio while cleaning up dead dinosaurs, of course, but I may have laughed aloud on multiple occasions. Don't ask when you finally visit my museum and see the gash across a priceless specimen. It's much easier to blame a long-dead "inclined propagandist" and walk past. Please.
So here's a nice little summary... aka a review.... aka why I started typing in this little box anyway. Here goes.
I. Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution
"Puh-lease guys. have you even read the British Constitution? You're smoked. And Monarchy's what's burning. *cue spin burn session* Only reason I can be 'concise' is because it's COMMON SENSE *wink wink* and when government ain't doing its job, it's time for us to start a war."-- quotes Thomas Paine would aggressively disown, pt. 1
Ahem. Actually, he makes perfect sense and writes everything out logically. But- pretty sure that's what he would have said if it was allowed.
II. Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
"Yes fine I'll continue to be serious. THE BIBLE SAYS SO. There. Satisfied now, pacifists? No? Well, we must work on this. *prepares lengthy thesis on the true anti-monarchial substance of the Old Testament* *sweetly honeys it down your throat* like it? Ehem? Ah, yes, it has a... wait for it... BUUUUURRRRRNNN!!!!!!!!"-- quotes Thomas Paine would aggressively disown, pt. 2
"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 eight hundred thousand 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."-- real quotes by Thomas Paine, only used 'cause this one happened to show up under his name. Your loyal biographer aka myself is not going to waste time looking up what I actually read when I could be grossly misrepresenting an important historical figure.
A section on why hereditary succession makes no sense, with the aforementioned Old Testament thesis, along with the refutation of "it prevents civil wars," by, of course, harping incredulously on the Wars of the Roses and the other 832 civil wars England's been through.
III. Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
"SERIOUSLY, Y'ALL! HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE FACT THAT WE'RE ALREADY FIGHTING THE BRITISH??? What's the point to shed blood over one tax law when we could just get our independence while we're at it? It'll be a quick and painless transition and your grandchildren will thank you. Or curse you, if you don't stop and LISTEN TO ME!!! Also, I have some great ideas for the American government and constitution."-- quotes Thomas Paine would aggressively disown, pt. 3
*muffled thanks from great-great-great-something-grandchildren*
Yes, there was no better time to separate from Britain. It was an inevitable break, as Paine mentions in pt. II, and at a later date it could have only been messier- and leaving us with a worse government.yes, it's possible.
IV. On the Present Ability of America, With Some Miscellaneous Reflections
"WOULD YA STOP TALKING ABOUT THE NAVY???? Thanks. Guess who built Britain's navy? Yes, us. There's about enough forest left over there for two ships. It's a big reason they colonized here in the first place, nincompoops. We are currently exporting sailcloth and timber and we have the largest ship factories in the world! STAHP GIVING THE BRITISH OUR NAVY AND LET US USE IT!!! But seriously, remind me why we even need a big navy anyway? Aren't the British kinda at war with thirty other countries right now? They CAN'T send their whole navy at us."-- quotes Thomas Paine would aggressively disown, pt. 4
Basically, we are, in fact, able to fight- as evidenced by the fact that we are already fighting- so let's actually fight for a reason? Peoples? Come on.
So there you have it! The United States of America: a birthing guide. As a historically significant document, it ranks with the Declaration of Independence; as a well-reasoned thesis, it trumps every college paper I've had the misfortune to read; as a lovely bit of early American sass... well, it's up to you to decide. Go read it.
February 3, 2019
Most Americans have at least a general knowledge of the events that sparked the American Revolution. Long story short (and super simplified) 鈥� British Parliament passed the Tea Act in mid 1773 allowing a British tea company to sell basically untaxed tea from China in the colonies while the colonists were still being taxed and therefore forced to sell higher priced tea. This set off an intense debate about the colonists being taxed without representation, culminating in the Boston Tea Party. As punishment, Parliament did away with Massachusetts鈥檚 self-governing rights and shut down Boston commerce in 1774. This ignited protests and acts of defiance throughout the 13 colonies, and the war officially started in April 1775 when the British came by sea, famously heralded throughout the colonies by Paul Revere.
When the first edition of Common Sense was published in January 1776, the Seige of Boston was still ongoing. Many people were outraged by British actions but wanted a reconciliation while many other colonists were deeply religious and believed wholeheartedly in the divinity of the monarchy. Thomas Paine wrote this pamphlet (a rather large pamphlet) to address every single argument against declaring independence, from the absurdity of heredity succession to the unvarnished truth of the current state of affairs in the colonies. He outlined how presidential and congressional elections might work. He described the advantages of their location, natural resources, and acquired resources. He wrapped up with a condemnation on the morals, intelligence, and manhood of anyone who thought independence was a bad idea.
It鈥檚 brilliantly written, even if you don鈥檛 agree with the content. Complex concepts are thrown out and then explained with metaphors and stories so that the colonists could understand. Much of it is written via the style of a Southern Baptist fire-and-brimstone Sunday church sermon. Before long, everyone who was anyone, and everyone who was no one, were reading this piece, and not just in the colonies. It became a bit of an international success, too.
And it was exactly what was needed at exactly the right time. Common Sense sent the colonists into a frenzy and was the primary cause of the overwhelming support for a Declaration of Independence that would be written and signed just a few months later. As an American, I can say that some days even I am unsure whether this 鈥淎merican experiment鈥� has been successful on the whole (some decades have been better than others, right?), but hopefully we are still a work in progress. We have Thomas Paine to thank for giving us a shot.
When the first edition of Common Sense was published in January 1776, the Seige of Boston was still ongoing. Many people were outraged by British actions but wanted a reconciliation while many other colonists were deeply religious and believed wholeheartedly in the divinity of the monarchy. Thomas Paine wrote this pamphlet (a rather large pamphlet) to address every single argument against declaring independence, from the absurdity of heredity succession to the unvarnished truth of the current state of affairs in the colonies. He outlined how presidential and congressional elections might work. He described the advantages of their location, natural resources, and acquired resources. He wrapped up with a condemnation on the morals, intelligence, and manhood of anyone who thought independence was a bad idea.
It鈥檚 brilliantly written, even if you don鈥檛 agree with the content. Complex concepts are thrown out and then explained with metaphors and stories so that the colonists could understand. Much of it is written via the style of a Southern Baptist fire-and-brimstone Sunday church sermon. Before long, everyone who was anyone, and everyone who was no one, were reading this piece, and not just in the colonies. It became a bit of an international success, too.
And it was exactly what was needed at exactly the right time. Common Sense sent the colonists into a frenzy and was the primary cause of the overwhelming support for a Declaration of Independence that would be written and signed just a few months later. As an American, I can say that some days even I am unsure whether this 鈥淎merican experiment鈥� has been successful on the whole (some decades have been better than others, right?), but hopefully we are still a work in progress. We have Thomas Paine to thank for giving us a shot.
April 19, 2016
I鈥檝e been reading 鈥淐ommon Sense鈥� by Thomas Paine
So men say that I鈥檓 intense or I鈥檓 insane
You want a revolution? I want a revelation!
So listen to my declaration:
鈥淲e hold these truths to be self-evident
that all men are created equal,鈥�
And when I meet Thomas Jefferson
Imma compel him to include women in the sequel!
Work!
Yes, I did pick up this pamphlet because I am obsessed with the musical Hamilton (what can I say, I can relate to men thinking that you're intense and/or insane), and I am so glad that I did. Common Sense is a remarkable read that holds up incredibly well, and worth reading for anyone interested in history or political philosophy. Who鈥檇 have thought that an eighteenth-century political essay would make me laugh out loud multiple times?
So men say that I鈥檓 intense or I鈥檓 insane
You want a revolution? I want a revelation!
So listen to my declaration:
鈥淲e hold these truths to be self-evident
that all men are created equal,鈥�
And when I meet Thomas Jefferson
Imma compel him to include women in the sequel!
Work!
Yes, I did pick up this pamphlet because I am obsessed with the musical Hamilton (what can I say, I can relate to men thinking that you're intense and/or insane), and I am so glad that I did. Common Sense is a remarkable read that holds up incredibly well, and worth reading for anyone interested in history or political philosophy. Who鈥檇 have thought that an eighteenth-century political essay would make me laugh out loud multiple times?
Want to read
February 26, 2025I鈥檝e been reading common sense by Thomas Paine, some men say that I鈥檓 intense or I鈥檓 insane. You wanna revolution? I want a REVELATION, so listen to my declaration: we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. And when I meet Thomas Jefferson鈥� imma compel him to include women in the sequel
WORK
(Please tell me y鈥檃ll get the reference)
WORK
(Please tell me y鈥檃ll get the reference)
January 19, 2025
鈥漈here is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.鈥�
Common Sense was published anonymously in January of 1776. The previous Spring the King鈥檚 soldiers had attacked colonist at Lexington and Concord, and a state of hostilities existed between Britain and the Colonies. Yet independence from Britain was not a widely popular view. Many colonist, even those in open rebellion, still hoped for a reconciliation with the mother country. Paine鈥檚 mighty little pamphlet would radically change that view, making possible that other great document that would be published the following July 鈥� the Declaration of Independence.
Modern readers may well miss just how radically effective Paine鈥檚 pamphlet was. He wrote in a straight forward, plain style in a time when most pamphleteers were affecting showy, convoluted prose aimed to impress only the higher social classes. Paine wrote plain for the common man. He repeatedly called on and praised 鈥渃ommon sense,鈥� something every yeoman farmer fancied he had, no matter how sparse his education. He freely quoted and called on the authority of the Bible, the one book he was sure that every, average literate man had and was familiar with. Paine wasn鈥檛 aiming his work primarily at the small class of rich businessmen and large landholders who had brought on the hostilities, (though they read it, too) but at the vast populace of common citizens without whom no independent country would be possible.
And what did he write? Brilliantly effective propaganda. He systematically attacked ideas formerly cherished by British subjects. The British Constitution. The idea of kingship. Hereditary kingship. He assaulted these ideas using history, filter through ideas he labeled common sense, and back it up through copious quotations of scripture attacking the very idea of kings. Paine repeatedly called on the authority of scripture (in passages carefully and selectively chosen) despite the fact that he himself did not believe in the authority of the Bible (as his future book, The Age of Reason illustrates). But that didn鈥檛 matter: his readers believed in its authority.
Common Sense changed the world. Even John Adams, whose conservative heart good and truly despised Thomas Paine as an irresponsible radical, had this to say of Paine and his propaganda pamphlet:
鈥漌ithout the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.鈥�
Common Sense was published anonymously in January of 1776. The previous Spring the King鈥檚 soldiers had attacked colonist at Lexington and Concord, and a state of hostilities existed between Britain and the Colonies. Yet independence from Britain was not a widely popular view. Many colonist, even those in open rebellion, still hoped for a reconciliation with the mother country. Paine鈥檚 mighty little pamphlet would radically change that view, making possible that other great document that would be published the following July 鈥� the Declaration of Independence.
Modern readers may well miss just how radically effective Paine鈥檚 pamphlet was. He wrote in a straight forward, plain style in a time when most pamphleteers were affecting showy, convoluted prose aimed to impress only the higher social classes. Paine wrote plain for the common man. He repeatedly called on and praised 鈥渃ommon sense,鈥� something every yeoman farmer fancied he had, no matter how sparse his education. He freely quoted and called on the authority of the Bible, the one book he was sure that every, average literate man had and was familiar with. Paine wasn鈥檛 aiming his work primarily at the small class of rich businessmen and large landholders who had brought on the hostilities, (though they read it, too) but at the vast populace of common citizens without whom no independent country would be possible.
And what did he write? Brilliantly effective propaganda. He systematically attacked ideas formerly cherished by British subjects. The British Constitution. The idea of kingship. Hereditary kingship. He assaulted these ideas using history, filter through ideas he labeled common sense, and back it up through copious quotations of scripture attacking the very idea of kings. Paine repeatedly called on the authority of scripture (in passages carefully and selectively chosen) despite the fact that he himself did not believe in the authority of the Bible (as his future book, The Age of Reason illustrates). But that didn鈥檛 matter: his readers believed in its authority.
Common Sense changed the world. Even John Adams, whose conservative heart good and truly despised Thomas Paine as an irresponsible radical, had this to say of Paine and his propaganda pamphlet:
鈥漌ithout the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.鈥�
March 29, 2025
This is the booklet that pushed us to become a free country. "In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history." I read it in Honors Sophomore World History almost forty years ago, but no one seems to teach it anymore. Except I do. [Or I did until I retired from teaching.]
"When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Paine's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hill, burned it to save Lincoln's political career. Historian Roy Basler, the editor of Lincoln's papers, said Paine had a strong influence on Lincoln's style:
It is a powerful work of persuasion and propaganda. Paine argues hard (anonymously), panders to his mostly-Protestant audience, and ultimately convinces a group of colonies to think of themselves as a nation, an independent republic, a people entitled to freedom from inherited monarchy by their natural right to liberty. It is an astounding counterargument to everything Europe stood for at that time, setting reason against the divine right of kings. It is a challenge today to understand how revolutionary this was in his day鈥攖his notion that no one should be born to privilege.
addendum
It should also be noted that just before an American brought him to the so-called "new world" Paine was in prison for promoting the rights of Jews as people in a nation led by a monarch who was (and is) the head of the official Church. Both the free-thinker Thomas Jefferson and the Baptists of the South opposed establishment of an official religion because they wanted to protect their specific belief system against government interference and the imposition of an official religion. The language may be awkward to read today, but this is still essential reading for anyone interested in the principles upon which our nation was founded..
"When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Paine's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hill, burned it to save Lincoln's political career. Historian Roy Basler, the editor of Lincoln's papers, said Paine had a strong influence on Lincoln's style:
"No other writer of the eighteenth century, with the exception of Jefferson, parallels more closely the temper or gist of Lincoln's later thought. In style, Paine above all others affords the variety of eloquence which, chastened and adapted to Lincoln's own mood, is revealed in Lincoln's formal writings."
It is a powerful work of persuasion and propaganda. Paine argues hard (anonymously), panders to his mostly-Protestant audience, and ultimately convinces a group of colonies to think of themselves as a nation, an independent republic, a people entitled to freedom from inherited monarchy by their natural right to liberty. It is an astounding counterargument to everything Europe stood for at that time, setting reason against the divine right of kings. It is a challenge today to understand how revolutionary this was in his day鈥攖his notion that no one should be born to privilege.
addendum
It should also be noted that just before an American brought him to the so-called "new world" Paine was in prison for promoting the rights of Jews as people in a nation led by a monarch who was (and is) the head of the official Church. Both the free-thinker Thomas Jefferson and the Baptists of the South opposed establishment of an official religion because they wanted to protect their specific belief system against government interference and the imposition of an official religion. The language may be awkward to read today, but this is still essential reading for anyone interested in the principles upon which our nation was founded..
December 21, 2016
I read this essay in school many years ago; I have read several books recently that have referred the Pane鈥檚 鈥淐ommon Sense鈥�. So, I thought I would re-read and refresh my memory about the book.
鈥淐ommon Sense鈥� was published in 1776 and challenged the authority of the British government and monarchy. It was written in plain language for the common person to easily read. It was the first published works to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Pane says that government鈥檚 sole purpose is to protect life, liberty and property and should be judged on the extent it accomplished this goal. Pane states that all men are born equal and tyranny cannot be tolerated.
This is a book that everyone should read and then re-read periodically. Edward Miller does a good job narrating the book.
鈥淐ommon Sense鈥� was published in 1776 and challenged the authority of the British government and monarchy. It was written in plain language for the common person to easily read. It was the first published works to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Pane says that government鈥檚 sole purpose is to protect life, liberty and property and should be judged on the extent it accomplished this goal. Pane states that all men are born equal and tyranny cannot be tolerated.
This is a book that everyone should read and then re-read periodically. Edward Miller does a good job narrating the book.
March 10, 2020
Having never read this oft-mentioned founding document, I dove in.
It took awhile to acclimatize, to the language, to gather facts and fictions about the era and population Thomas Paine addresses in his famous work, but I got the gist of it. I found inspiration and wisdom in it. I recognized so many phrases and sentiments that rang true, although I am not of his time. It is clear I have been carefully taught these things my entire life. That stuns me, a little, waving in my free brain thoughts tagged by nervous flags that of these I should take note, should consider, should ponder on that . . . .
Truth or taught. . . ? It resonates within me as truthful and real, so I'm going with that. Thanks for that mighty act of persuasion, Mr. Paine.
It took awhile to acclimatize, to the language, to gather facts and fictions about the era and population Thomas Paine addresses in his famous work, but I got the gist of it. I found inspiration and wisdom in it. I recognized so many phrases and sentiments that rang true, although I am not of his time. It is clear I have been carefully taught these things my entire life. That stuns me, a little, waving in my free brain thoughts tagged by nervous flags that of these I should take note, should consider, should ponder on that . . . .
Truth or taught. . . ? It resonates within me as truthful and real, so I'm going with that. Thanks for that mighty act of persuasion, Mr. Paine.
July 4, 2020
Still rings true.....
"This is our situation, and who will know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue;by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils-a ravaged country-a depopulated city-habitations without safety, and slavery without hope."
R.I.P to one of our great Americans, Thomas Paine.
"This is our situation, and who will know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue;by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils-a ravaged country-a depopulated city-habitations without safety, and slavery without hope."
R.I.P to one of our great Americans, Thomas Paine.
February 14, 2011
Something everyone should read, study and learn to understand. This pamphlet made a new world. We need such men to stand and inspire us to do the same once again.
October 15, 2015
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賳爻禺賴 蹖 丕賳诏賱蹖爻蹖 丕爻讴賳 卮丿賴 丕賲丕 賲鬲丕爻賮丕賳賴 賳丕讴丕賲賱 丕蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘 乇丕 賲蹖 鬲賵丕賳蹖丿 丕夭 賵 賳爻禺賴 蹖 鬲丕蹖倬 卮丿賴 蹖 讴丕賲賱卮 乇丕 丕夭 亘蹖丕亘蹖丿
倬蹖賳 丕蹖賳 乇爻丕賱賴 乇丕 丿乇 爻丕賱 賴丕蹖 1775 賵 1776 蹖毓賳蹖 丿乇 亘丨亘丨賴 蹖 丿毓賵丕賴丕 賵 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴丕 亘乇丕蹖 丕爻鬲賯賱丕賱 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 賳賵卮鬲賴 丕爻鬲. 丕賵 丿乇 賮氐賱 賳禺爻鬲 讴鬲丕亘 亘賴 賳馗丕賲 爻賱胤賳鬲蹖 丕賳诏賱爻鬲丕賳 賵 賲噩賱爻 丕毓蹖丕賳 賲蹖 鬲丕夭丿 賵 丌賳 乇丕 爻丕禺鬲丕乇蹖 禺賱丕賮 毓賯賱 賲蹖 卮賲丕乇丿. 爻倬爻 丿乇 賮氐賱 丿賵賲 丿乇 丕丿丕賲賴 蹖 丨賲賱賴 亘賴 爻賱胤賳鬲貙 亘賴 毓賴丿 毓鬲蹖賯 賲鬲賵爻賱 賲蹖 卮賵丿 賵 賳卮丕賳 賲蹖 丿賴丿 讴賴 禺丿丕賵賳丿 丿乇禺賵丕爻鬲 蹖賴賵丿蹖丕賳 亘乇丕蹖 賲毓蹖賳 讴乇丿蹖 卮丕賴蹖 亘乇丕蹖卮丕賳 丕夭 胤乇賮 禺丿丕 乇丕 诏賳丕賴 卮賲乇丿賴 丕爻鬲. 賴賲趩賳蹖賳 丿乇 丕蹖賳 賮氐賱 亘賴 賲賵乇賵孬蹖 亘賵丿賳 爻賱胤賳鬲 丨賲賱賴 賲蹖 讴賳丿 賵 賲丿丕賲 亘乇 丕蹖賳 卮毓丕乇 賲賴賲 鬲兀讴蹖丿 賲蹖 讴賳丿 讴賴 賮囟蹖賱鬲 賲賵乇賵孬蹖 賳蹖爻鬲. 丿乇 賮氐賱 爻賵賲 亘賴 賵囟毓蹖鬲 賮毓賱蹖 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 賲蹖 倬乇丿丕夭丿 賵 鬲氐乇蹖丨 賲蹖 讴賳丿 讴賴 賵囟毓蹖鬲 賮毓賱蹖 亘賴鬲乇蹖賳 夭賲丕賳 亘乇丕蹖 丕毓賱丕賲 丕爻鬲賯賱丕賱 丕爻鬲. 賴賲趩賳蹖賳 丕賵 鬲兀讴蹖丿 賲蹖 讴賳丿 讴賴 丕爻鬲賯賱丕賱 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 賳賴 賮賯胤 丕賲乇蹖 賲丨賱蹖 亘賱讴賴 丌睾丕夭诏乇 丿賵乇丕賳 鬲丕夭賴 丕蹖 丿乇 鬲丕乇蹖禺 亘卮乇蹖鬲 丕爻鬲 讴賴 丕夭 夭賲丕賳 胤賵賮丕賳 賳賵丨 爻丕亘賯賴 賳丿丕卮鬲賴 丕爻鬲 - 丿賵乇丕賳蹖 讴賴 丌夭丕丿蹖 賲讴丕賳蹖 亘乇丕蹖 鬲亘賱賵乇 禺賵丿 賲蹖 蹖丕亘丿. 丿乇 賮氐賱 趩賴丕乇賲 倬蹖賳 丕卮丕乇丕鬲蹖 賲鬲賮乇賯賴 亘賴 鬲賵丕賳丕蹖蹖 賴丕蹖 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 賵 囟乇賵乇鬲 丕鬲讴丕蹖 亘賴 禺賵丿 賲胤乇丨 賲蹖 讴賳丿
囟賲蹖賲賴 蹖 讴鬲丕亘 丿乇 趩丕倬 賳禺爻鬲 賵噩賵丿 賳丿丕卮鬲 賵 亘毓丿 丕夭 倬禺卮 爻禺賳丕賳 賳丕丕賲蹖丿 讴賳賳丿賴 蹖 倬丕丿卮丕賴 丕賳诏賱爻鬲丕賳 丿乇 丌賲乇蹖讴丕 - 讴賴 賲禺丕賱賮丕賳 乇丕 噩賲毓蹖 卮賵乇卮蹖 禺賵丕賳丿賴 亘賵丿 - 亘賴 賳诏丕乇卮 丿乇丌賲丿. 丕賵 丿乇 丕蹖賳 囟賲蹖賲賴 亘乇 丨賯丕賳蹖鬲 丿賵亘丕乇賴 蹖 丨乇賮 賴丕蹖 禺賵丿 鬲兀讴蹖丿 賲蹖 讴賳丿 賵 亘乇 丕蹖賳讴賴 賳亘丕蹖丿 夭賲丕賳 賲賳丕爻亘 乇丕 丕夭 丿爻鬲 丿丕丿貙 丕氐乇丕乇 賲蹖 賵乇夭丿. 倬蹖賳 禺賵丿 丿乇 禺丕賳賵丕丿賴 丕蹖 丕夭 賳丨賱賴 蹖 讴賵蹖讴乇 夭丕丿賴 卮丿賴 亘賵丿 - 賮乇賯賴 丕蹖 讴賴 亘賴 賳亘乇丿 賵 禺賵賳乇蹖夭蹖 亘丕賵乇 賳丿丕卮鬲 賵 丿乇 賯亘丕賱 爻蹖丕爻鬲 賲孬賱 賲乇噩毓賴 丿乇 賮乇賴賳诏 丕爻賱丕賲蹖 亘賵丿 ( 蹖毓賳蹖 丕賲賵乇 乇丕 亘賴 禺丿丕 賲蹖 爻倬乇丿 賵 亘卮乇 乇丕 亘賴 毓丿賲 丿禺丕賱鬲 賮乇丕賲蹖 禺賵丕賳丿 ). 丿乇 囟賲蹖賲賴 蹖 丿賵賲 讴鬲丕亘 讴賴 賳丕賲賴 亘賴 讴賵蹖讴乇賴丕 丕爻鬲 丕賵 亘賴 丕蹖賳 讴賳丕賴 诏蹖乇蹖 賲蹖 鬲丕夭丿 賵 丕蹖賳 亘丕賵乇 乇丕 讴賴 乇賮鬲 賵 丌賲丿 卮丕賴丕賳 亘賴 禺賵丕爻鬲 禺丿丕 丕爻鬲貙 倬爻 賲蹖 夭賳丿
丿賵 丕賮夭賵丿賴 蹖 丕蹖夭丕讴 讴乇丕賲蹖賳诏 丿乇 賲毓乇賮蹖 丕丨賵丕賱 倬蹖賳 賵 卮乇丕蹖胤 丌賳 丿賵乇丕賳 賴賲 禺賵丕賳丿賳蹖 丕爻鬲
亘乇丕蹖 賲賳 亘蹖卮 丕夭 賴賲賴 丌賳 亘禺卮 鬲賮爻蹖乇 毓賴丿 毓鬲蹖賯 噩丕賱亘 賵 賳賵 亘賵丿
丿乇 賲賵乇丿 鬲乇噩賲賴 亘丕蹖丿 賴賲 亘賴 賵噩賵丿 爻爻鬲蹖 賴丕蹖蹖 丿乇 丌賳 丕匕毓丕賳 讴乇丿 賵 賴賲 亘賴 賵噩賵丿 賲夭蹖鬲 賴丕蹖蹖. 爻爻鬲蹖 賴丕蹖 鬲乇噩賲賴 賴乇趩賳丿 亘丕乇夭 賳蹖爻鬲賳丿 丕賲丕 诏丕賴 亘賴 诏丕賴 乇禺 賲蹖 賳賲丕蹖丕賳賳丿 - 蹖讴 賲孬丕賱 禺丕氐卮 丕蹖賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 賲鬲乇噩賲 爻丕禺鬲丕乇賴丕蹖 卮乇胤蹖 倬蹖趩蹖丿賴 鬲乇 乇丕 丿乇爻鬲 鬲卮禺蹖氐 賳丿丕丿賴 丕爻鬲 - 賲孬賱丕 賵賯鬲蹖 "賴丿" 丕賵賱 蹖丕 賵爻胤 噩賲賱賴 丌賲丿賴 賵 噩賲賱賴 蹖 賮乇囟蹖 賵 睾蹖乇賵丕賯毓蹖 乇丕 亘賴 毓賳賵丕賳 卮乇胤 賲胤乇丨 賲蹖 讴賳丿 ( 胤亘蹖毓鬲丕 賵賮鬲蹖 卮乇胤 丿乇爻鬲 賮賴賲蹖丿賴 賳卮丿賴 噩賵丕亘 卮乇胤 賴丕 亘賴 噩丕蹖 丌賳讴賴 賲卮乇賵胤 鬲乇噩賲賴 卮賵賳丿 丕禺亘丕乇蹖 鬲乇噩賲賴 卮丿賴 丕賳丿 ). 丕賲丕 丕夭 胤乇賮 丿蹖诏乇 夭亘丕賳 鬲乇噩賲賴 亘賴 賳馗乇賲 噩丕賱亘 丕爻鬲. 毓賲賵賲丕 丨爻 賲賳 丌賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 亘丕 賲鬲賳蹖 賮丕乇爻蹖 乇賵亘乇賵蹖賲 賵 賳賴 賲鬲賳蹖 鬲乇噩賲賴 卮丿賴. 丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丕夭 丕氐胤賱丕丨丕鬲 賮丕乇爻蹖 賵 毓亘丕乇丕鬲 亘賵賲蹖 亘乇丕蹖 賲毓丕丿賱 賴丕蹖 丕賳诏賱蹖爻蹖 趩蹖夭蹖 亘賵丿 讴賴 賲賳 丿乇 賲鬲賳 鬲乇噩賲賴 賲蹖 倬爻賳丿蹖丿賲
July 6, 2016
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.
Unfortunate that the knee-jerk Right has appropriated this polished wit. I can't see how is reconciles with the specks of froth about emails and birth certificates. Baggage eschewed, this remains a powerful pamphlet, a catalyst for defiance. Not as convincing as J.S. Mill, but one rife with images and optimism.
Unfortunate that the knee-jerk Right has appropriated this polished wit. I can't see how is reconciles with the specks of froth about emails and birth certificates. Baggage eschewed, this remains a powerful pamphlet, a catalyst for defiance. Not as convincing as J.S. Mill, but one rife with images and optimism.
December 29, 2008
Known to some as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, Common Sense by Thomas Paine may actually serve as evidence of the blinding effects of fervent patriotism.
Paine masterly grasped the attention of the reader by questioning about the origin of government to stir the desire to question about the evolution of government over time--how government has, over the course of centuries, became what it is. The choice to begin the text with regards to the origin and progress from hence is also effective because it creates a chronological effect. Not to mention, it is wise of Paine to apply to his work the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers such as those of John Locke.
However, Common Sense falls short in the discussion of the facts. Paine downplays the negatives of sovereignty, such as the consequences of becoming in debt and the political and economic issues an independent nation faces on a national scale. Such behavior indicates a fanatic obsession with nationalism and the desire to secure it through secession or other radical means. Though it may seem comical for a mere reader to remark upon the grave subjects of politics and the like, I must protest that the hype for revolution and Paine's vision on the readiness of his America is to an extent dangerous and naive.
Paine masterly grasped the attention of the reader by questioning about the origin of government to stir the desire to question about the evolution of government over time--how government has, over the course of centuries, became what it is. The choice to begin the text with regards to the origin and progress from hence is also effective because it creates a chronological effect. Not to mention, it is wise of Paine to apply to his work the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers such as those of John Locke.
However, Common Sense falls short in the discussion of the facts. Paine downplays the negatives of sovereignty, such as the consequences of becoming in debt and the political and economic issues an independent nation faces on a national scale. Such behavior indicates a fanatic obsession with nationalism and the desire to secure it through secession or other radical means. Though it may seem comical for a mere reader to remark upon the grave subjects of politics and the like, I must protest that the hype for revolution and Paine's vision on the readiness of his America is to an extent dangerous and naive.
February 14, 2019
郾郾
毓丕丿鬲 丿蹖乇蹖賳賴 賮讴乇 賳讴乇丿賳 丿乇亘丕乇賴 賳丕丿乇爻鬲蹖 賲胤丕賱亘貙 亘賴 丌賳賴丕 丿乇 爻胤丨 馗丕賴乇蹖 噩賳亘賴 丿乇爻鬲 賲蹖 丿賴丿... 夭賲丕賳 亘蹖卮 丕夭 禺乇丿 氐丕丨亘丕賳 毓賯蹖丿賴 賳賵 (賳賵讴蹖卮) 賲蹖 丌賮乇蹖賳丿. 爻賵丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丿蹖乇蹖賳賴 賵 禺卮賳 丕夭 賯丿乇鬲貙 毓賲賵賲丕 賵爻蹖賱賴 丕蹖 亘乇丕蹖 卮讴 讴乇丿賳 亘賴 丨賯丕賳蹖鬲 丌賳 丕爻鬲
毓丕丿鬲 丿蹖乇蹖賳賴 賮讴乇 賳讴乇丿賳 丿乇亘丕乇賴 賳丕丿乇爻鬲蹖 賲胤丕賱亘貙 亘賴 丌賳賴丕 丿乇 爻胤丨 馗丕賴乇蹖 噩賳亘賴 丿乇爻鬲 賲蹖 丿賴丿... 夭賲丕賳 亘蹖卮 丕夭 禺乇丿 氐丕丨亘丕賳 毓賯蹖丿賴 賳賵 (賳賵讴蹖卮) 賲蹖 丌賮乇蹖賳丿. 爻賵丕爻鬲賮丕丿賴 丿蹖乇蹖賳賴 賵 禺卮賳 丕夭 賯丿乇鬲貙 毓賲賵賲丕 賵爻蹖賱賴 丕蹖 亘乇丕蹖 卮讴 讴乇丿賳 亘賴 丨賯丕賳蹖鬲 丌賳 丕爻鬲
July 8, 2015
Like most Americans, I've read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, but maybe not all of it recently, and not much of the actual writings of the founding fathers. So this Audible daily deal seemed like a good thing to add to my commute.
Thomas Paine's famous polemic is a quick and easy listen, because that's how he intended it to be - indeed, it was read throughout the colonies, in inns and taverns and meeting houses, to a population that was well-educated for the time but still not that literate by modern standards. It was a bestselling pamphlet, and it's credited with getting the majority of the American colonists "off the fence" on the subject of separating from Britain. Until Paine's pamphlet, most Americans were ambivalent about declaring independence, and even those with grievances against Britain thought that reconciliation was better than separation.
Paine's argument is basically a long sermon against monarchy and absolute rule, and a recounting of all the grievances the American colonists had against England, and why it was ridiculous for a continent to continue to be governed by an island, and how Americans would benefit by making their own way in the world.
It is very much a sermon, and reading some historical background on Common Sense makes it more understandable. Paine deliberately used the language and cadence of a sermon, complete with ample Biblical references, making the (somewhat dubious, in my opinion) argument that the Bible itself does not endorse monarchies. (Paine claims that even King David was only honored as a man, and not a king, but I think he's being a bit selective in his choice of Bible verses there.)
It's important to understand that at the time, educated men writing treatises like this usually used formal rhetorical style, with lots of Latin and Greek phrases, so they'd sound smart and go right over the heads of commoners. Paine deliberately aimed at the common man (and as his language makes clear, he was only talking to men here), wanting his arguments to be accessible to everyone, not just the elites who stood to benefit most from revolution. At the time, this was truly revolutionary and inflammatory, and even some of the founding fathers didn't approve. Yet Common Sense is credited with swaying public opinion in favor of declaring independence.
Paine launches a tirade against Britain and King George, delivering quite a one-sided but effective case for divorce. The pamphlet ends with an epilogue which is a rebuttal to Quaker arguments in favor of peace (i.e., non-revolution), in which Paine basically says, "Stick to your religion and keep your noses out of politics."
Having this read to me made it more enjoyable, as I could imagine Thomas Paine delivering his oratory in person, or some rabble rouser reading it aloud in an alehouse in Philadelphia. An appropriate July 4th listen.
Thomas Paine's famous polemic is a quick and easy listen, because that's how he intended it to be - indeed, it was read throughout the colonies, in inns and taverns and meeting houses, to a population that was well-educated for the time but still not that literate by modern standards. It was a bestselling pamphlet, and it's credited with getting the majority of the American colonists "off the fence" on the subject of separating from Britain. Until Paine's pamphlet, most Americans were ambivalent about declaring independence, and even those with grievances against Britain thought that reconciliation was better than separation.
Paine's argument is basically a long sermon against monarchy and absolute rule, and a recounting of all the grievances the American colonists had against England, and why it was ridiculous for a continent to continue to be governed by an island, and how Americans would benefit by making their own way in the world.
It is very much a sermon, and reading some historical background on Common Sense makes it more understandable. Paine deliberately used the language and cadence of a sermon, complete with ample Biblical references, making the (somewhat dubious, in my opinion) argument that the Bible itself does not endorse monarchies. (Paine claims that even King David was only honored as a man, and not a king, but I think he's being a bit selective in his choice of Bible verses there.)
It's important to understand that at the time, educated men writing treatises like this usually used formal rhetorical style, with lots of Latin and Greek phrases, so they'd sound smart and go right over the heads of commoners. Paine deliberately aimed at the common man (and as his language makes clear, he was only talking to men here), wanting his arguments to be accessible to everyone, not just the elites who stood to benefit most from revolution. At the time, this was truly revolutionary and inflammatory, and even some of the founding fathers didn't approve. Yet Common Sense is credited with swaying public opinion in favor of declaring independence.
Paine launches a tirade against Britain and King George, delivering quite a one-sided but effective case for divorce. The pamphlet ends with an epilogue which is a rebuttal to Quaker arguments in favor of peace (i.e., non-revolution), in which Paine basically says, "Stick to your religion and keep your noses out of politics."
Having this read to me made it more enjoyable, as I could imagine Thomas Paine delivering his oratory in person, or some rabble rouser reading it aloud in an alehouse in Philadelphia. An appropriate July 4th listen.
December 24, 2018
Audiobook #264
January 25, 2025
I'm sure if I were forced to read this revolutionary pamphlet when I was a teenaged kid in high school, I would have hated it then. Now, not so much. Now it's enjoyable in a way that I actually don't mind reading it and don't find it dry at all. In places I can hear the passion in the man's voice. (I'm sure it helped that the audiobook narrator was very good!)
So far, of the quotable Paine, my favorite line is about how the beheading of Charles I didn't make things better: For the fate of Charles the First hath only made kings more subtle, not more just."
Supposedly George Washington, in his days at the head of the Continental Army, would read his men passages of Paine's works to keep up their spirits. Unfortunately, after the revolutionary fervor in both the US and in France subsided, Paine lost a lot of popularity and prestige. He died in poverty, and his gravesite was not respected. Ten years later, a Paine enthusiast disinterred the bones with the intent of bringing them back to England for a proper burial. Unfortunately, calamity struck, the bones were scattered and his remains have been located (probably) in a tavern wall in England, Wales, and now maybe Australia. Who knows? Maybe that fancy antique button is a small part of Paine's leg bone?
So far, of the quotable Paine, my favorite line is about how the beheading of Charles I didn't make things better: For the fate of Charles the First hath only made kings more subtle, not more just."
Supposedly George Washington, in his days at the head of the Continental Army, would read his men passages of Paine's works to keep up their spirits. Unfortunately, after the revolutionary fervor in both the US and in France subsided, Paine lost a lot of popularity and prestige. He died in poverty, and his gravesite was not respected. Ten years later, a Paine enthusiast disinterred the bones with the intent of bringing them back to England for a proper burial. Unfortunately, calamity struck, the bones were scattered and his remains have been located (probably) in a tavern wall in England, Wales, and now maybe Australia. Who knows? Maybe that fancy antique button is a small part of Paine's leg bone?
August 25, 2020
喙赌喔断箛喔断箒喔ム赴喙赌喔断阜喔笖喔∴覆喔�
喔傕箟喔箑喔傕傅喔⑧笝喔浮喔编涪喔椸傅喙堗腑喙赌喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧笗喙夃腑喔囙竵喔侧福喙佮涪喔佮笗喔编抚喔堗覆喔佮福喔班笟喔笟喔副喔囙竵喔む俯喔椸傅喙堗箑喔娻复喔断笂喔灌釜喔栢覆喔氞副喔权竵喔┼副喔曕福喔脆涪喙屶箑喔涏箛喔权笡喔｀赴喔∴父喔傕笝喔赤笡喔｀赴喙赌喔椸辅
喙€喔炧笝喔笜喔脆笟喔侧涪喙勦笖喙夃箑喔斷阜喔笖喔∴覆喔佮抚喙堗覆喔涏副喔嵿斧喔侧競喔竾喔｀赴喔氞腑喔氞笖喔编竾喔佮弗喙堗覆喔о竸喔粪腑喔赴喙勦福 喙€喔斷阜喔笖喙佮弗喔班浮喔掂箑喔笗喔膏笢喔ム釜喔∴竵喔编笟喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔抚喙堗覆 '喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵' 喙€喔浮喔粪腑喔權笟喔竵喔佮弗喔侧涪喙� 喔о箞喔侧箑喔｀阜喙堗腑喔囙竾喙堗覆喔⑧箓喔勦笗喔｀箚 喙佮竸喙堗笝喔掂箟喔椸赋喙勦浮喔栢付喔囙竸喔脆笖喔佮副喔權箑喔竾喙勦浮喙堗箘喔斷箟 (喔о赴)
喔笝喔膏竵喔栢付喔囙笡喔｀赴喔∴覆喔撪竵喔ム覆喔囙箑喔ム箞喔� 喙佮笗喙堗笂喙堗抚喔囙斧喔ム副喔囙箚 喙€喔｀复喙堗浮喙勦浮喙堗竸喙堗腑喔⑧腑喔脆笝喙€喔炧福喔侧赴喙冟釜喙堗福喔侧涪喔ム赴喙€喔傅喔⑧笖喔栢付喔囙釜喔侧箑喔笗喔膏笚喔掂箞喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧箘喔∴箞喔勦抚喔｀笗喙夃腑喔囙竵喔ム副喔о斧喔侧竵喔堗赴喙佮涪喔佮笗喔编抚喔堗覆喔佮腑喔编竾喔佮袱喔� 喔嬥付喙堗竾喙€喔涏箛喔權箑喔｀阜喙堗腑喔囙弗喙夃覆喔浮喔编涪喙勦笡喙佮抚喙夃抚
喙佮笝喔班笝喔赤竸喔｀副喔� 喔箞喔侧笝喙€喔炧弗喔脆笝喙� 喙€喔ム涪
喔傕箟喔箑喔傕傅喔⑧笝喔浮喔编涪喔椸傅喙堗腑喙赌喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧笗喙夃腑喔囙竵喔侧福喙佮涪喔佮笗喔编抚喔堗覆喔佮福喔班笟喔笟喔副喔囙竵喔む俯喔椸傅喙堗箑喔娻复喔断笂喔灌釜喔栢覆喔氞副喔权竵喔┼副喔曕福喔脆涪喙屶箑喔涏箛喔权笡喔｀赴喔∴父喔傕笝喔赤笡喔｀赴喙赌喔椸辅
喙€喔炧笝喔笜喔脆笟喔侧涪喙勦笖喙夃箑喔斷阜喔笖喔∴覆喔佮抚喙堗覆喔涏副喔嵿斧喔侧競喔竾喔｀赴喔氞腑喔氞笖喔编竾喔佮弗喙堗覆喔о竸喔粪腑喔赴喙勦福 喙€喔斷阜喔笖喙佮弗喔班浮喔掂箑喔笗喔膏笢喔ム釜喔∴竵喔编笟喔笝喔编竾喔阜喔抚喙堗覆 '喔覆喔∴副喔嵿釜喔赤笝喔多竵' 喙€喔浮喔粪腑喔權笟喔竵喔佮弗喔侧涪喙� 喔о箞喔侧箑喔｀阜喙堗腑喔囙竾喙堗覆喔⑧箓喔勦笗喔｀箚 喙佮竸喙堗笝喔掂箟喔椸赋喙勦浮喔栢付喔囙竸喔脆笖喔佮副喔權箑喔竾喙勦浮喙堗箘喔斷箟 (喔о赴)
喔笝喔膏竵喔栢付喔囙笡喔｀赴喔∴覆喔撪竵喔ム覆喔囙箑喔ム箞喔� 喙佮笗喙堗笂喙堗抚喔囙斧喔ム副喔囙箚 喙€喔｀复喙堗浮喙勦浮喙堗竸喙堗腑喔⑧腑喔脆笝喙€喔炧福喔侧赴喙冟釜喙堗福喔侧涪喔ム赴喙€喔傅喔⑧笖喔栢付喔囙釜喔侧箑喔笗喔膏笚喔掂箞喔箑喔∴福喔脆竵喔侧箘喔∴箞喔勦抚喔｀笗喙夃腑喔囙竵喔ム副喔о斧喔侧竵喔堗赴喙佮涪喔佮笗喔编抚喔堗覆喔佮腑喔编竾喔佮袱喔� 喔嬥付喙堗竾喙€喔涏箛喔權箑喔｀阜喙堗腑喔囙弗喙夃覆喔浮喔编涪喙勦笡喙佮抚喙夃抚
喙佮笝喔班笝喔赤竸喔｀副喔� 喔箞喔侧笝喙€喔炧弗喔脆笝喙� 喙€喔ム涪
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