Thomas PaineThomas Paine, (1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author

Thomas Paine Quote

“Reason obeys itself; and ignorance does whatever is dictated to it.”

Thomas PaineThomas Paine
~ Thomas Paine

Rights of Man

Ratings and Comments


Martin Foster, Pretoria

True, because reason depends on evaluation by the individual and ignorance on belief of data given by others.

Mike, Norwalk

I like it, supportable philosophically.

J Carlton, Calgary

Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Mary - MI
  • Reply
Mary - MI    5/24/13

Sadly, it seems that ignorance has the upper-hand in today's world of Progressive Obama groupies.

E Archer, NYC

You cannot change the nature of the world. We are all born in ignorance, and reason is the way to truth. Obviously people can be made to believe just about anything; thus, we have monarchies, lords, pharaohs, priests, and all matter of hierarchies in which the common man must serve -- he serves because he believes it to be the 'way' and of course he is punished should he dissent. A man of reason is a threat to the tradition of subservience, to the custom of divine right of kings, to superstition and fear. Same as it ever was, and likely to ever be.

Michael Murray, Las Vegas, NV

Today the bureaucrat and politician place their "reason" above the dictates of the law and the people. In our ignorance we should do as we are told.

Matthew, People's Republic of California

@ E Archer: well said... I only hope that we'll enter an age of reason in my lifetime.

helen, London uk

the stars were for the quote and E Archer

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