Thomas Paine

born in 1737 AD; died in 1809 AD (age ~72)

american founding father, writer


Quotes (About)

"I've been studying history," Peter said. "I've been learning things about patterns in human behavior. There are times when the world is rearranging itself, and at times like that, the right words can change the world. Thing what Pericles did in Athens, and Demosthenes—"

"Yes, they managed to wreck Athens twice."

"Pericles, yes, but Demosthenes was right about Philip—"

"Or provoked him—"

"See? This is what historians usually do, quibble about cause and effect when the point is, there are times when the world is in flux and the right voice in the right place can move the world. Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin, for instance. Bismarck. Lenin."

  • by Orson Scott Card, Peter Wiggin, Valentine Wiggin
  • about Benjamin Franklin, Pericles, Demosthenes, Philip II of Macedon, Thomas Paine, Otto von Bismarck, Vladimir Lenin