[On Christmas Day 1776, George Washington had Paine’s first essay read to his dispirited soldiers to boost moral. Shortly afterward the energized soldiers — emboldened by Paine’s words — launched a surprise attack on unsuspecting Hessians and won the decisive battle of Trenton.]
THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
Thomas Paine, Dec 23, 1776
Thomas Paine wielded the language in the way Michaelangelo wielded the hammer and chisel.
It would seem that Paine was familiar with Shakespeare’s “Henry V” and the Saint Crispin’s day soliloquy (‘we few, we happy few’). It’s not a copy or plagiarism, of course, but it has similar pacing, feel and meaning.
We are in those times right now.
I agree, Paine had a unique and beautiful command of the language.
The antique usage in English is why I love the King James Version of the Bible.
We are indeed in those times now.
Yes we are, and it feels way worse, as in we have everything to lose, and very little to gain, but, what we do have, to gain is the whole World....
Isn't there a poem about Geo Wash and Mr Paine??
I think I recall one being quoted to me some time ago....
Timeless words.
My concern is that back then they knew who they were fighting.
Right now we seem to be fighting against a nameless decentralized entity.
It's the devil we fight against. Nothing else makes sense. The long game that has made it possible to put the whole world on the brink of socialism is beyond the work of men. This started 50 years ago and is too well orchestrated. They never deviate from the goal of tearing the fabric of the civilized world apart.
This has been going on for a lot longer than that. A lot longer. In the case of the USA, for example, look at its history. Broke away from the British. Immediately attacked with weapons and financial tools. Then attacked again (War of 1812/Battle of New Orleans). then attacked again. Then attacked again. Et cetera. The Adversary scored some decisive wins in establishing the Income Tax, the Federal Reserve, and Welfare. And in pulling the USA into WWI, WWII, and all of the other conflicts since then. If by "50 years" you are referring to the killing of JFK, we must recognize that that was just another signpost on this path that the USA has been on for quite a long time. I do concede that it seems like it has been accelerating in the last 20-30 years, but that could just be how story arcs go. We are in the Denouement. We shall see if we overcome.
Taking out JFK was the beginning for me. At the time we all sensed the assassination was more than one man.
1720 plague 1820 cholera 1920 "Spanish flu" I mean vaxes 2020 "COVID" I mean vaxes
Has been going on way longer than that even
Seems more to me now that it this just another phase in the same fight against the same enemy.
You are right about that. It is honest people versus dictators. And has been for five thousand years.
Kinda makes one proud to be and American Patriot in these dark days!
Major.....
And students. Why am I not a history teacher. I’d be kickin ass right now making these students analyze everything. Getting called into the superintendent’s office for unapproved curriculum. Kek
Freedom.
Very prescient. Brings tears to my eyes.😥🇺🇸 God bless America.
What early Americans endured makes our "pain" seem so trivial. People bitch about the most mundane shit. We're their decendants? Fat, lazy, and brainwashed by darkness and its entertainments (says the guy glued to GAW and his Firestick)
Wow, thank you for posting this. I had never read the full article before. Thomas Paine… what an inspirational writer.
Thomas Paine's words should resonate to everyone on this site and beyond...When Freedom Rings then the Whole Worlds will Sing...
Today being Christmas Eve I wish everyone Merry Christmas and God Speed!!!
This NEXT Year will be trying and but we have God On Our Shoulders!!!
Now let's kick some deep state cabal ass. NO DEALS GOD WINS.
It is so easy to underestimate the value of an inheritance when you forget the price that was paid by your forefathers. The most valuable commodities in the universe have been inherited by us, and so many have forgotten the price that was paid. Sadly, we only realized the value when it was being slowly stolen from us. The price to keep it was cheap, but we were unwilling to pay because we did not realize its value. Now that it is gone, we will pay a huge price. Freedom and opportunity is what we have been losing, that is the American Dream, not material goods. No matter how poor, destitute, illiterate and humble our beginnings, there is opportunity to succeed and live a happy and peaceful life. That is what we are fighting to regain. The ability to live in Peace and obtain what modicum of success that we deem sufficient.
The U.S. public education system has managed to erase what FREEDOM is all about from the minds of American citizens. Just look to what happens on university campuses today for full evidence of that.
It's just one generation away from being lost, and WE ALL have the responsibility to guard it jealously and Vigilantly, an with the blood of our enemies flowing like Rivers at our feet....
https://qposts.online/post/1776
Ah yes, the classic tale of Americans performing war crimes before we even were American
That's what you get for celebrating the birth of Christ! You get slaughtered in your sleep!