Author reviews Thomas Paine, despised as much by contemporaries as revered. Paine saw America’s independence as natural, rejected Britain as “mother country,” foresaw likely eventual decline
Posted by bubah1mau 2 months ago to Philosophy
“A thousand years hence (for I must indulge in a few thoughts), perhaps in less, America may be what England now is! The innocence of her character that won the hearts of all nations in her favor may sound like a romance, and her inimitable virtue as if it had never been.”
Interesting that John Adams thought so little of Thomas Paine. Paine was not formally educated like Adams but must have been self taught enough for the likes of Benjamin Franklin to notice him and urge him to go to America in 1774. He then became the editor of the "Pennsylvania Magazine" and wrote articles on such topics as women's rights, slavery, copyrights, and various humanitarian issues. An ignoramus can't do that or any of the other "adventures" and offerings he had or made. Paine was an interesting fellow to say the least. He died in virtual obscurity in NYC in 1809.
not all things commit suicide or are sold out by traitors