Common Sense Passivity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offenses of Britain, and, still hoping for the best, are apt to call out, " Come, come, we shall be friends again, for all this." (3.23)

There are also lots of people in the U.S. who simply wish that America could get along with its enemies and become friends. Paine dismisses this argument as naïve to the point of childish. He is, after all, trying to get people to pick up guns and shoot at British soldiers, and he can't allow any doubt to creep into his readers' heads.

Quote #5

Your future connection with Britain, whom you can neither love nor honor will be forced and unnatural, and being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first. (3.23)

Paine is certain that sooner or later, America's bond with Britain is bound to dissolve. The only question is whether this will happen now or later. Pacifists want it to happen later so that other people will have to deal with it. But Paine thinks this is beyond irresponsible.

Quote #6

But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, Hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face! Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? (3.23)

Paine thinks that a lot of the people who are against war with Britain are just people who haven't been directly affected by British violence. In this case, he says that these people aren't fit to have an opinion on the issue of war because they haven't seen the true destruction that being tied to England brings.