"Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. 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."
-- Thomas Paine, "Common Sense"
I wonder what Thomas did with the Bible's claim that government is eternal in the godhead, and in no way necessarily evil?
ReplyDelete