Thomas Paine Qualities

Standing up for what you believe is right can be hard. Especially when the majority of people don’t agree with you. There have been many accounts throughout history where this is the case. One of these bold men was Thomas Paine. His life as a young boy was marked by repeated failures. On November 30, 1774, Paine arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, receiving a fresh start in the British-American Colonies. Later during the Revolutionary war, he wrote, Common Sense, a 50-page pamphlet that would later go on to inspire millions of Americans to join the cause for independence. He was also the author of The Crisis, another well-known pamphlet, read to the Continental Army during their winter in Valley Forge. This paper will be giving an
(Brainy Quote pg.2) With every person comes good and bad character qualities. Thomas Paine, although having many undesirable qualities, had many that leaders around us would want and need today. The first and most obvious was that of being inspirational. “Inspirational” is defined as a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation; the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions, the act of influencing or suggesting opinions. (Webster dictionary) Paine was tremendously inspirational. Some of his writings, such as, The Age of Reason and Rights of Man, inspired thousands. However, one of his most inspirational piece is Common Sense, which influenced millions of Americans. Selling more than half a million copies, he helped pave the way toward American Independence. Secondly, he had initiative. Initiative can be defined as someone who is always ready to get started on a new project, or begin a course of action, a good quality of being a leader. He started many ideas and concepts that popped up in Common Sense and The Crisis. These things also helped begin the more positive course in the Revolutionary War. When Paine accused a member of Congress of trying to personally benefit from the French aid in 1777, he portrayed unbelievable boldness, but not necessarily in a good way. Boldness,
If someone has convinced themselves they are right, no matter what proof, reason, or evidence you show to them, they are a waste of time to try and change. This lesson is taught to us through Paine’s experience writing his pamphlets. He learned the hard way not to argue with people who had dismissed reason from their argument. The second, character, is much easier kept than recovered; this teaches us that it is easier to try and be strong with what you believe in, rather than to get it back after you have lost it. So, when it’s hard to hold on, remember it’s harder to get back up. The third, is pretty self-explanatory. Everybody fights their battles, but the more passion, time, energy and hope you put into your cause, the more remarkable the outcome. Paine and all the patriots put so much into the Revolutionary War, causing the victory over the British to be even more exciting. My personal favorite, the fourth… you can’t always be honest, and never offend anyone. You can’t please everyone, so don’t try to. Always be honest, but don’t let every thought you have turn into things you’ve said. Common Sense made a lot of loyalists and people angry, but Paine stayed honest and true to his word. The fifth, you either have to lead, follow, or get out of the way. When fighting for something with or without violence, you either need to be a leader, follow a leader, or go away. You can also stand up for what