Question
Continue analyzing this passage from Common Sense.
Paine contrasts two types of people in sentence three.
“Honest man” is another way of saying
.
In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which, in plain terms, is to [impoverish] the nation.... A pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed eight hundred thousand sterling a year for, and worshipped into the bargain! Of more worth is one honest man to society ... than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.
Paine contrasts two types of people in sentence three.
“Honest man” is another way of saying
.
In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which, in plain terms, is to [impoverish] the nation.... A pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed eight hundred thousand sterling a year for, and worshipped into the bargain! Of more worth is one honest man to society ... than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.
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GPT-4o mini
In this passage from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," he contrasts two distinct groups of individuals: **honest people** and **crowned ruffians** (which can be interpreted as tyrants or corrupt rulers). By calling someone an "honest man," Paine emphasizes virtues such as integrity, fairness, and moral rectitude. This terminology suggests that a single honest individual contributes far more to society than corrupt leaders who focus on war-making and distributing power for personal gain.
Paine critiques the role of a king in England, suggesting that the king's primary functions—waging war and distributing positions of authority—are detrimental to society and impoverish the populace. His rhetorical question about the appropriateness of such a role for someone who is financially rewarded (with "eight hundred thousand sterling a year") and revered ("worshipped into the bargain") underscores the absurdity of honoring a figure who exploits his position.
By stating that "of more worth is one honest man to society," Paine passionately advocates for the value of integrity and ethical leadership, challenging the societal norms of reverence for monarchy and suggesting that true societal worth resides in the moral character of individuals rather than their titles or wealth.
Overall, Paine’s contrast serves to elevate the importance of individual virtue over hereditary power and calls for a re-examination of societal values in favor of more democratic and just principles.
Paine critiques the role of a king in England, suggesting that the king's primary functions—waging war and distributing positions of authority—are detrimental to society and impoverish the populace. His rhetorical question about the appropriateness of such a role for someone who is financially rewarded (with "eight hundred thousand sterling a year") and revered ("worshipped into the bargain") underscores the absurdity of honoring a figure who exploits his position.
By stating that "of more worth is one honest man to society," Paine passionately advocates for the value of integrity and ethical leadership, challenging the societal norms of reverence for monarchy and suggesting that true societal worth resides in the moral character of individuals rather than their titles or wealth.
Overall, Paine’s contrast serves to elevate the importance of individual virtue over hereditary power and calls for a re-examination of societal values in favor of more democratic and just principles.