In celebration of the brave people who have built our nation, we continue our Pride in America series by honoring Thomas Paine.

John Adams once observed that the real American revolution was "the radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affection of the people." This revolutionary character, which cherishes liberty above all else, is America's distinctive feature. In this regard, few men contributed more to the formation of that character than Thomas Paine.

Known as the "pamphleteer of the Revolution," Paine's writings both before and during our revolutionary struggle aroused the patriotic zeal necessary to secure our independence. Common Sense, his most influential pamphlet published in 1776, outlined in rousing prose not only the practical reasons for a separation from Great Britain, but the fundamental principle that “a government of our own is our natural right.” 

Upon publication, the pamphlet quickly spread through taverns and meeting houses across the fledgling republic, selling over 100,000 copies in its first three months. Today, Common Sense is widely considered the best-selling book in American history. 

Following this success, Paine traveled with the Continental Army during Washington’s disastrous route from Long Island. Alarmed by the collapsing morale of the patriot forces, he penned another series of pamphlets titled The American Crisis. In the famous opening to his first pamphlet, he wrote:

“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 his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

Washington ordered Paine’s words read to his troops prior to his daring crossing of the Delaware River. His powerful exhortation reinvigorated the Continental Army, imbuing it with the vigor needed to triumph at the Battle of Trenton and turn the tide of the war.  

Today, America faces a new crisis that threatens to destroy what remains of our constitutional system of government, and with it, our most sacred liberties. Paine’s writings are a potent reminder that the common sense opinion in defense of government by consent and the natural rights of man should always be held in higher esteem than the decrees of “experts.” In this battle to preserve our rightful inheritance as freemen, there is no place for sunshine patriots.