Common sense and other political Writings

Thomas Paine was one of those great humanitarian spirits who illuminate with rare intensity the age into which they are born.
In any study of the man’s political and social thinking, we must therefore regard him above all a lover of mankind. By temperament Paine, throughout life, was revolted by human suffering, and with a mind to a large degree pragmatic he diligently sought out the causes of injustice. Never a pessimistic determinist, Paine, even in the darkest periods of his life, retained at least some faith in his fellow man; and it was his firm conviction that human suffering might be mitigated by bringing men more fully to under-stand the principles of good government. Paine saw clearly that “a great portion of mankind, in what are called civilized countries, are in a state of poverty and wretchedness.” 1 To oppressive gov-ernments he laid the blame for this “disgustful picture of human wretchedness.” 2 “Why is it,” he asks, “that scarcely any are executed but the poor? The fact is a proof, among other things, of a wretchedness in their condition.” So far as government is concerned, he felt that monarchy violates the spirit of humani-tarianism, operating as a monarchy must always operate for the good of the few. No clearer declaration may be found of Paine’s belief in the close relation of government and the betterment of mankind than in his assertion that “the true greatness of a nation is founded on the principles of humanity.” It is in part the purpose of this Introduction to trace out in Paine’s life and works what he believed the proper functioning of these principles…(Introducción)