Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Hello, I am Thomas Paine, and today, I want to reflect on a timeless observation I made during one of history’s most transformative periods: "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." This quote, from my work Common Sense, captures a fundamental truth about the nature of governance: while it is essential for organizing society and maintaining order, government inherently carries the risk of overreach and oppression. Let us explore how this applied in my time, how it resonates today, and what lessons it holds for our future.