Common Sense

COMMON SENSE by Thomas Paine - 1775

SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.

Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries BY A GOVERNMENT, which we might expect in a country WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him, out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others. . . .

Best rules

The Ten Commandments as a template for basic guidelines of contentment;

1.) The first One is basically to be in awe of the art of creation and praise the source of life. The gift of life should be beyond comprehension of mere earthly perspective.

2.) The demand to have no graven images is the cause of physical attachments and the desire to create false values by representation tricks and distractions.

3.) The tendency to take The Lord's name in vain would be the effect of frustration from the gift of choice. This would be the denial of self-responsibility by blaming "higher" forces.

4.) Remembering the sabbath is about getting enough down-time. When timing develops pressure it gets out of balance so the healthiest habit is to get enough sleep. A great doctor told his son, "even if you can't sleep, you can get enough rest."

5.) Caregivers should inspire the best respect. The foundation of self-respect depends on our parents so always strive to appreciate their best intentions.

6.) The loss of life is a natural pattern but when man over-rides this balance he causes victim mentality. Premature loss of life under any condition has degrees of pity. The understanding of being sorry may be a powerful source of health.

7.) Betrayal loses the ability to be intimate. Intimacy is the heart of soul.

8.) Thou shall not steal is the basis for sharing (power). On some level we all know that we should pay for what we get.

9.) False witness gets to the possibility that denial is the seed of depression. Honesty leads to trustworthy observation (truth) and gets more obvious with investment / appreciation.

10) Coveting keeps us from developing our own style. Individual style feeds the growth of a society. Social concerns keep our world healthy.

Exceptions were made before rules or we couldn't be made so exceptional!

Bradisms

My care is
always there, it is
not a nuisance until
you say it is.
The freedom
responsibility gives
those who care.
For others share
until blame and shame
make caring invisible.

See what you get!