How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Ye that oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do; ye are opening a door to eternal tyranny, by keeping vacant the seat of government. (3.50)
Paine worries at one point that the people opposing the war with Britain don't truly understand what the impact of their actions will be. They don't realize that they're paving the way for a tyrant to keep ruling over America into the future, bringing chaos and violence to all Americans along the way. Paine knows that if these people could go into the future and see the consequences of their actions, they'd support the war.