Question

Common Sense

Thomas Paine, 1776

The heart that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, 1
who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them 2
happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and 3
grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is 4
firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. 5
My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. Not all the 6
treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive 7
war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my 8
property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all 9
cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it? 10

What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my 11
countryman or not my countryman; whether it be done by an individual villain, or an army 12
of them? If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just 13
cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case and pardon in the other. 14

Question:

In your own words, discuss Thomas Paine's rationale for when it is appropriate and just to go to war, and when it isn't inappropriate and unjust to go to war. What metaphors does Paine use to support or illustrate his position? Give details from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

Thomas Paine gives several examples of when he believes it is good to go to war. He argues that it is important to be brave when a little action by the few could improve things for the whole ("at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy"). He also says that acting in self-defense is the only case in which a war is legitimate. He asks: "if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?"

On the other hand, engaging in a war for offense, and not defense, is equivalent to "murder," and is completely wrong according to Paine. The comparison between this type of war and murder is a metaphor that Paine uses to give more emphasis to his opinion. Another example is the use of a thief as a character that is compared with an enemy at war.