Thomas Paine:
(Thetford, 29 January 1737 – New York, 8 June 1809).
Anglo-American philosopher, freethinker and political writer with revolutionary views on statecraft, civil rights and religion. His works played an important role in both the American and French Revolutions and he is one of the leading thinkers of liberalism. Among other things, he is known as the author of the notorious and widely read political pamphlet Common Sense, which he wrote to defend the interests of English colonialists in North America against those of the British colonial power. He believed they should not only go to war against mercantilist legislation and import and export taxes, but demand independence. Most historians see him as an important guide on the road to American independence and give his writings an important role in the drafting of the American Declaration of Independence. The broad definition of Founding Fathers of the United States includes Paine.
The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes.
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that wil reach to himself.
He who dares not offend, cannot be honest.
