Common Sense

By Thomas Paine

A special gift edition of one of the most important and influential documents in our nation’s history—featured in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Hamilton: An American Musical—stylishly packaged for twenty-first-century readers.

According to John Adams, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain." With Common Sense, Thomas Paine energized colonial support for the armed rebellion that would make the American experiment a reality, using common sense to argue for colonial independence. Today, this cornerstone of the American Revolution has once again been rediscovered by ardent fans of the wildly popular and transformative Broadway musical Hamilton, which features Common Sense prominently in one of its opening numbers.

Originally published 240 years ago, Paine’s groundbreaking pamphlet remains relevant for every American today. Written for the restless populous of 1776, Common Sense questioned the authority of King George III and was the first work to openly champion the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

Containing the original text and spelling along with a brief description of Paine, this special gift edition is stylishly packaged with a striking cloth-like case that mimics an embroidered sampler, with raised embossing to make the stitching feel authentic. The cover design combines colonial patterns with a contemporary color palette to appeal to both serious history readers as well as fans of pop culture. The back cover includes praise from key historical figures of the Revolution (who also happen to be characters in the musical).

Outlining the revolutionary roots of our nation’s founding, Common Sense is essential reading for Americans of all stripes who, like their forefathers, find themselves in times that try their souls, and are now discovering their own rebellious spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9780062695543

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1736-1809) was an English born American activist, philosopher, and author. Before moving to America, Paine worked as a stay maker, but would often get fired for his questionable business practices. Out of a job, separated from his wife, and falling into debt, Paine decided to move to America for a fresh start. There, he not only made a fresh start for himself, but helped pave the way for others, too. Paine was credited to be a major inspiration for the American Revolution. His series of pamphlets affected American politics by voicing concerns that were not yet intellectually considered by early American society.

Book preview

I’VE BEEN READING Common Sense BY THOMAS PAINE . . .

DID YOU KNOW?

Common Sense was a bestseller in its day, selling 120,000 copies in its first three months in print, and three times that amount over the next three years.

Common Sense was inspired in part by the treatises of English philosopher John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers.

According to Thomas Paine’s friend Benjamin Rush, it was actually Rush who suggested Paine title his pamphlet Common Sense; the fifty-page pamphlet’s original title was Plain Truth.

Common Sense was published in early 1776, just six months before the official text of the Declaration of Independence was composed and signed.

Even though another one of Thomas Paine’s pamphlets, The Rights of Man, was hugely influential on the French Revolution, Thomas Paine was actually thrown in French prison during the Reign of Terror because his radical views . . . weren’t radical enough.

Only six people attended Thomas Paine’s funeral.

The mayor of Thomas Paine’s hometown in Norfolk, England, would only allow a statue of Paine to be erected in his honor if it bore the words convicted traitor.

Common Sense was featured prominently in The Schuyler Sisters number in the Tony Award–winning musical Hamilton.

EPIGRAPH

Man knows no Master save creating Heaven

Or those whom choice and common good ordain.

—THOMSON

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

I’ve Been Reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine . . .

Epigraph

Introduction

Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution.

Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession.

Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs.

Of the Present Ability of America, with some Miscellaneous Reflexions.

Appendix

About the Author

Copyright

About the Publisher

INTRODUCTION

PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.

As a long and violent abuse of power, is generally the Means of calling the right of it in question (and in Matters too which might never have been thought of, had not the Sufferers been aggravated into the inquiry) and as the King of England hath undertaken in his own Right, to support the Parliament in what he calls Theirs, and as the good people of this country are grievously oppressed by the combination, they have an undoubted privilege to inquire into the pretensions of both, and equally to reject the usurpation of either.

In the following sheets, the author hath studiously avoided every thing which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well as censure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise, and the worthy, need not the triumph of a pamphlet; and those whose sentiments are injudicious, or unfriendly, will cease of themselves unless too much pains are bestowed upon their conversion.

The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances hath, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all Lovers of Mankind are affected, and in the Event of which, their Affections are interested. The laying a Country desolate with Fire and Sword, declaring War against the natural rights of all Mankind, and extirpating the Defenders thereof from the Face of the Earth, is the Concern of every Man to whom Nature hath given the Power of feeling; of which Class, regardless of Party Censure, is the

AUTHOR

P.S. The Publication of this new Edition hath been delayed, with a View of taking notice (had it been necessary) of any Attempt to refute the Doctrine of Independance: As no Answer hath yet appeared, it is now presumed that none will, the Time needful for getting such a Performance ready for the Public being considerably past.

Who the Author of this Production is, is wholly unnecessary to the Public, as the Object for Attention is the Doctrine itself, not the Man. Yet it may not be unnecessary to say, That he is unconnected with any Party, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle.

Philadelphia, February 14, 1776

of the ORIGIN AND DESIGN of GOVERNMENT in GENERAL, with CONCISE REMARKS on the ENGLISH CONSTITUTION.

Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first a patron, the last a punisher.

Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expence and greatest benefit, is preferable to

Reviews for Common Sense

[jbd1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The little pamphlet that won the Revolution.

[jonfaith · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.

Unfortunate that the knee-jerk Right has appropriated this polished wit. I can't see how is reconciles with the specks of froth about emails and birth certificates. Baggage eschewed, this remains a powerful pamphlet, a catalyst for defiance. Not as convincing as J.S. Mill, but one rife with images and optimism.

[teresa_pelka · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Much has changed between Europe and America, in the hundreds of years since the American Revolution. The observation that independent existence is both natural and beneficial remains true, and is likely to be true in the future. Thomas Paine's Common Sense is a worthwhile read, not only as a book to have been part in an important event, but also as one to resist times and change, on human need of independence.

[nittnut · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Required reading - well worth the time - and quite entertaining.Favorite quote:"One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion."Another quote, which I find very applicable to current politics:"Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions. Expedience and right are different things."It's short, entertaining and very, very good. Read it. Borrow my copy.

[beau0p0laurence · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic, and a pivotal work, in U.S. history.

[ashryan_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Men read by way of revenge."A forerunner of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Common Sense should properly be regarded (at least in a historical, though not a legal, sense) as one of the founding documents of this nation.Paine makes the case for independence in strong moral terms, clearly based on the Enlightenment political theories of John Locke. The list he gives of the Crown's abuses should already be familiar to the reader from the Declaration (Jefferson did not give sufficient credit to Paine for his obvious influence on that document), though Paine's recounting is somewhat more detailed, as he could treat the topic at greater length in his pamphlet.Paine also offers suggestions in some detail about a Constitutional Congress and the drafting of such a document, and based on the course of subsequent events it seems that the other Founders took Paine's suggestions to heart.And of course, few other books in history (and particularly non-fiction works, since art can have a power that plain argument does not) have so effectively rallied public opinion.Read this book. You will be surprised, even if your expectations were already high, and you will certainly be inspired.

[hermit_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.

[diwanna_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As powerful today as it was 240 years ago. So short, should be required reading for all Americans. Society promotes our happiness by uniting our affections, government negatively by restraining our vices.

[heidip_38 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Common Sense was written to show that the logical course of action during the Revolutionary War was to declare Independence from Great Britain. It is only natural that we should sever our ties from our Parent Country--after all, she is like a mother devouring her children, and really we are descended from all the countries of Europe, not just England. Our parent country was Europe. Now that the Revolutionary War has started we have no other course. From here on out England would not act in the best interest of its colonies--they would only act in their own self-interest. It would not be in England's best interest to have a strong America. We don't need Great Britain to defend our coastlines, anyway--how can they. If we had a threat to our coastline Britain would be 3,000 miles away. Their response would be severely delayed. We don't have a navy, but we could build one. We have all the natural resources here in America--wood, tar, etc. And we have plenty of seafaring men in Boston who are now out of a job because the British have closed Boston Harbor.Thus go his arguments one after another for the logical reasons why we should declare our independence. He encourages the colonists that Americans can write their own constitution and form their own government. The government should be based on law and focus on security and freedom. This is a 5 star book.

[orfishome · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Viewed through Colonial eyes, it would have indeed been revolutionary. I enjoyed the Bibilical history parallels.

[unionhawk_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice short read. Interesting to see what someone like Thomas Paine was actually thinking at the time of the American Revolution. I would recommend reading it, even though I did not exactly love reading it. It was good, but not awesome.

[gopfolk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thomas Paine did a great job explaining to the common man why it was necessary to break away from Britain. While many of were made to read this when we were young it is always good to go back to these classics and re-read them with a more mature mind set.This weekend we celebrate our 235 year as a free country and these documents are important to read and re-read throughout our lives to ensure that we remember why we are the country we are.Happy Independence Day!

[elfortunawe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thomas Paine has few rivals in the ability to impress an idea on the mind of a reader. At times Common Sense can seem a bit ambitious in the level of certainty it aspires to, but this is propaganda. What seemed most striking to me was the combination of this propaganda with an impressive intelligence. The Founding Fathers were true statesmen: well-read and capable with both reason and rhetoric (qualities rarely found in public figures these days). Paine states early on that he intends to write in clear and uncluttered prose, but still maintains a strong sense of both urgency and dignity with the spare resources he allows himself. Reading this has whet my appetite for more writing from this period.

[coffee5is5yum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, this was written in 1776 and during a time completely different than our modern era. A review from my perspective wouldn't really be fair...but here it goes.I found the beginning more interesting than the end. The idea of hereditary succession was interesting. I enjoyed reading Paine thrashing the British monarchy, that took a lot of courage to not sugar coat. He did a great job, though I do think it might could have been a little shorter. Some of the ideas I thought were a bit long-winded.I think a fascinating thing is while reading and thinking the ideas are brilliant...you then begin realizing everything Paine is pointing to is just "common sense." I guess readers just needed it pulled from their thoughts and placed in a more rational line of thinking.Great man. Sad life.

[mrgreg_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These essays could be written yesterday. They are so timely, even today.

[carlinemaserati · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It seems wrong to rate a masterpiece that changed the course of American History. It's like rating the Constitution or the works of Plato. I give it five stars because it is READABLE. The words are still easy to understand and moving. The first paragraph of this historic pamphlet is guaranteed to make your blood hot.

[carlar_82074 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read this a few times now. If anyone has any interest at all in American history then this book is a must read.

[hmskip · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This little book is actually chockful of common sense as the title implies. It outlines the source and purpose of legitimate government in the early chapters and proceeds logically to its application to the American situation of that day. Although most of the discussion is specific to the 1775 conditions in America, the general truths, of which there are many examples, are of an almost eternal nature. The book is good to read also because it demonstrates a depth of reasoning that was highly prized in that earlier age, but that is so lacking in the present day. Today, the sound-bite dominates the political and philosophical scene. Paine could not have captured the public imagination as much as he did by means of a series of tweets, but he did so by a carefully thought out system based on logic and reason.

[histreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A must read "pamphlet" of the day, which, is uncommonly apropos to today! In Common Sense, Mr. Paine deconstructs the monarchy of Great Britain and its destroys its concept of empire; where by, he cries for the independence of a continent from a tiny island crown.In his essay, he lays out a framework which fairly closely resembles today's republican government of America. I found some of his most famous and repeated line, yet found myself underlining much more.

[thedivineoomba · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very appropriate book to be reviewing on the Fourth of July! This is the argument that started the American Revolution - the argument that a break from British ties is the only way to make America great. His arguments are both very persuasive (as a 21st century reader, I found myself agreeing with him on all points) and is very enlightening on the politics of the time.I found it difficult to read at some points - the shift in language required me to read the same passages multiple times to understand it. And sometimes, a sentence only made sense in the context of the larger page. But- the arguments are very clear. I think all politicians should read this book - as a country, I think America have gone away from the intent of elected officials. Thomas Paine makes it very clear the best government is when each person gets to vote on an issue but when populations are too large second best is vote for a representative.This is a book of it's time... There are non-politically correct references to "Savages" of Africa and Native Indians. It is very clear that Thomas Paine was writing to an audience who thought Christianity was the most "Civilized" religion. I say this because the introduction indicates that Thomas Paine was Deist and was against slavery. So, was he writing to his audience? or did he actually believe what he wrote. It is an interesting question.

[melydia_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm sure I read excerpts from this in school many years ago. I'd forgotten most of the specifics but the general idea (yay independence, boo monarchy) is pretty plain. I was a little surprised by how similar the eventual US government became to the British system, given how much time Paine spends complaining about it. (Granted, he spends even more time complaining about the idea of hereditary power.) I was also struck by how "religious freedom" only included Christians. Freedom of religion is one of the basic rights in the Constitution, and yet here we have one of the biggest advocates completely ignoring most of the religions of the world (including the Deism of many of his contemporaries, though it's not explicitly stated). In short, it was a very important and influential book, well worth reading by any American who wishes to learn more about the early days of their own country. It also really stretches today's definition of "pamphlet".

[marshapetry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you ("you" as in US citizens) haven't read this book, you should. And the narrator gives it all the force and emotion needed to be read as it should (audiobook)! Great!

[martinbodek · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thomas Paine is my favorite writer's (the late Christopher Hitchens) favorite writer, and therefore my responsibility to experience. Upon reading, I quickly understood the admiration. Paine, like Hitchens, is an enviously eloquent silver-tongued wordplayer who holds immoral sycophants to account for their cowardice. For shame that this was not part of my curriculum. How could a work like this be buried in general, purportedly as a result of future quasi-antitheistic work? This writing should be judged upon its own merits. History should have been kinder, as it is a masterpiece of reasoning and rationalism and a supreme galvanizer of men.

[renzomalo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Like all dated material, a little bit of a challenge to get through, but well worth the effort. In this brief little book, Paine lays out the underlying rationale of the country's founding and impetus for the revolution. Long story short: the King is not law: the Law is king. Nuff said.

[jnmwheels · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Quotes to remember:

Time makes more converts than reason.
“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.”

Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first a patron, the last a punisher.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

[sgerbic · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reviewed Sept. 2006 A nice common sense argument against British rule over America. Published at just the right time - King George III’s speech was released at the same time. Paine mentions this in his appendix but I wish the King’s speech was included in this volume. Paine also includes an essay to Quakers apparently some Quakers had published a testimony supporting (?) the King. Paine tells them that as Quakers they should not involve themselves “ye ought not to be meddlers on the other, but to wait the issue in silence.” (p.57) He also tells them, “mingling religion with politics may be disavowed...by every inhabitant of American.” What a hyprocrit Payne is because throughout his main essay he appeals to religion for reasons to overthrow the King. Payne makes excellent points against hereditary passing the throne, “in the next succession...rogue or a fool.” (p. 13) If all men are born equal, how can someone’s children rule forever? The first King probably was a bully or tyrant what gives him superiority? Payne feels that an island 3000 mies away should not govern a large continent. Also it takes 3-4 months to get direction from the Mother country. England has enemies, America has none, why should we not be able to side with whom we want, or stay our of events and wars not of our choosing? 23-2006

[bnielsen_30 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Indeholder "Common Sense", "Agrarian Justice"."Common Sense" handler om ???"Agrarian Justice" handler om ???Dette værk satte fut i den amerikanske frihedstanke, hvilket alene er nok til at sikre det et langt liv. Men derudover er det meget velskrevet.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thomas Paine references history and the Bible. He assumes his readers are well education in both history and the Bible. He also brings in humor to his writing.

[viking2917_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading David McCullough's 1776 I went for this. It's surprisingly readable, short and consumable. Some of the writing and insights are quite striking! And he had only recently come to America when this was written, so his passion is a bit surprising.

[xenchu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't understand why this book is not required reading in school, indeed why it not a required study. It is one of the basis of the American political structure. What Paine wrote is one of the foundations of Independence.I will not discuss the contents of the book (actually a pamphlet and quite short). I urge everyone to read it for themselves.