Question

Which two excerpts in the passage supports the claim that Paine believed the cost of the colonists' struggle against the British was well worth the outcome?

The Crisis, No. 1
by Thomas Paine (adapted excerpt)

. . . I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but "show your faith by your works," that you may be blessed. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the effect or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is cold; the children will criticize his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles. My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive, for I think it wrong; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and threatens me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?

Answer 1

Thomas Paine's excerpts from 'The Crisis, No. 1' argue that the sacrifices made in the struggle against British tyranny are justified by the value and honor of the resulting independence, and that the greater the effort, the more precious the victory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two excerpts from Thomas Paine’s The Crisis, No. 1 that support the claim that he believed the cost of the colonists' struggle against the British was well worth the outcome are, first: “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.” This excerpt emphasizes Paine’s view that perseverance through hardship would be greatly honored and that independence was a valuable outcome to strive for.

Second: “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…” In this excerpt, Paine suggests that although the fight against tyranny is difficult, the greater the effort required, the more precious the victory, thus justifying the struggle for freedom.

These statements shine light on Paine's ideology that the fight for liberty and the effort to overcome oppression justified the sacrifices being made by the colonists.