Posted on 02/09/2014 5:50:30 AM PST by Master Zinja
Born on this date in 1737, Thomas Paine was one of the great voices of the American Revolution, stirring patriots to action with his words in Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (a series published 1776-1783). He later was involved in the French Revolution in the 1790's. Paine's words concerning the American Revolution continue to resound today.
Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;" and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty. -The American Crisis No. I
As a notorious “freethinker,” Paine was also a predecessor to all the anti-G-d philosophers that have scourged America since that time.
Anyone remember the Thomas Payne guy on You tube that was a hit- then he disappeared? Wonder what happened to him.....
Which just goes to show that a person can be a profound thinker and highly intelligent and still be dead wrong. Does 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 apply to Paine? 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
That is not to say that there isn't still something to learn from such people. One of my favourite Paine thinkings was this very short and simple quote
. He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
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