Thomas Paine — "He who dares not offend cannot be honest."

"It is impossible for us to suppose that a God, who is just, can be the author of a religion which is not just."

"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…"

"Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good."

"The independence of America, considered merely as a commercial object, is an object of no inconsiderable magnitude."

"To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to conv…"