“The danger to which the success of revolutions is most exposed, is that of attempting them before the principles on which they proceed, and the advantages to result from them, are sufficiently seen and understood.”

Thomas Paine was as responsible as any one person in keeping the American revolution from failing. His pamphlets on freedom kept it alive.

This is why you have to think long and hard about any revolution, and know your philosophy front to back; and anybody pushing revolution that doesn't let you know up front what that philosophy is, is dangerous. If you don't know the principles, nine times out of ten you'll end up with a Robespierre instead of a Washington.

A prime principle in the why of the U.S.'s dummying down.

how can I get the reference for this quote?