Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Weapons deter invaders and maintain global order, preventing chaos if law-abiding people cannot use them.
- In plain terms
- Arms protect society and property by deterring wrongdoers.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-defense tools help maintain order and safety.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does arming citizens increase or decrease overall safety?
- Who decides who is law-abiding?
Another view
This view assumes armed citizens always act lawfully and deter crime effectively.
More from Thomas Paine
The greatest threat to our [democratic] experiment will not come from those who would openly oppose us, but those who will silently follow us.
Permalink to quote #60 History is to ascribe the American Revolution to Thomas Paine.
Permalink to quote #62 It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government.
Permalink to quote #59
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