Hello and welcome to Classically Speaking! Today’s Commons Sense quote (the 3rd in the series) is focused on the importance of continuity in a duly elected government, and the danger of an open, unresolved government, vulnerable to authoritarians, dictators, monarchy, oligarchy…
Whether it be the struggle to obtain freedom and independence, or the struggle to keep it, the stakes are the same— To be ruled, to be enslaved, to be property— Or to be free to live life your own way.
“When William the Conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the point of the sword; and until we consent, that the seat of government, in America, be legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us in the same manner, and then, where will be our freedom? where our property?”
— Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
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