Question

Read this excert from Thomas Paine's essay "Common Sense":

Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh, ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice?, Oppression is often the CONSEQUENCE, but seldom or never the MEANS of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy.
But there is another and greater distinction, for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS. Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into
ve the rest. ard distinguished like some new species. is worth inguiring into, and whether they are the means of happines.
or of misery to mankind
1. recourse: source of help
2. avarice: greed
3. means: method for accomplishing or obtaining something
4.timorous: fearful
What argument is Thomas Paine trying to make in this excerpt?

the kinas and the sublects are not natural or necessary
There will alwavs be a need to separate kings and their sublects

The equality originally enjoyed by people has been damaged by natural disasters
Not all people who belonged to the upper levels of society are cruel

Answer 1

The argument Thomas Paine is trying to make in this excerpt is that the distinction between kings and subjects is not natural or necessary. He argues that mankind was originally equal in the order of creation, and any inequality that exists can be explained by subsequent circumstances, such as the distinctions of rich and poor. Paine suggests that oppression and avarice are often consequences, rather than means, of wealth. He questions the origin of the distinction between kings and subjects, considering it a greater distinction for which no natural or religious reason can be given. Paine's argument challenges the legitimacy and necessity of the hierarchical system that separates people into rulers and those who are ruled.