"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 on the ruins of the bowers of Paradise: For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistably 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 whole design and end of government, it unanswerably follows, that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expence and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Of the Origin and Design of Government... (p. 5)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Common_Sense
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Common Sense
26 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Common Sense →
Related Quotes
"Government by Kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the …"
"For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual prefere…"
"Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent—selected from the rest of mankind,…"
"Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the sight of God, than all the crowned Ruffians that ever lived."
"The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. It is not the affair of a City, a County, a Province, or a Kingdom;…"
"It is pleasant to observe by what regular gradations we surmount the force of local prejudice, as we enlarge our acqu…"
"Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cr…"
"Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual. Our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and hath tended to c…"
"Small islands, not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for government to take under their care; …"
"How came the King by a power which the People are afraid to trust, and always obliged to check? Such a power could no…"