"Common Sense"

1. "In order to gain a clear and just idea of the design and end of government, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest; they will then represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world. In this state of natural liberty, society will be their first thought. A thousand motives will excite them thereto; the strength of one man is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief of another, who in his turn requires the same."
In this section, Paine is actually describing a scenario much like that of the American Colonists. He states that if people settle in far off regions of the earth, they represent a new country. He also states that these people will be free and will first set up a society. This description enlightened the American people because they saw in as an allusion to themselves. When they saw their situation from an outside point-of-view they realized that they should not have to to follow British rule since they were so far away.


2. "Here then is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz. Freedom and security. And however our eyes may be dazzled with show, or our ears deceived by sound; however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and reason will say, 'tis right"
In this section, Paine is talking about the origin of government. He states that government arises when the sense of right and wrong are no longer powerful enough to keep a country in check. He describes the design of government as freedom and security and states that this will be right no matter what "show" is put on by its critics. This rallied the American people because they saw the moral virtues in the colonies disappear as a result of British rule. As soon as revolutionaries began boycotting and starting riots, the Americans were in need of a new form of government.


3. "The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. 'Tis not the affair of a City, a County, a Province, or a Kingdom; but of a Continent — of at least one-eighth part of the habitable Globe. 'Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed-time of Continental union, faith and honour."
In this section, Paine goes on to describe how important this revolution is. He sates that this is the most important cause the world has ever seen and describes the magnitude of the cause as not that of a city or province, but of an entire continent. He also states how the effects of this revolution will not last a day or year, but will go on until the end of time. This was big news to the Americans' because it made them realize the grand scale of what was going on. They were fighting for a continent many times larger than the island that was controlling them. They also rallied at the fact that this cause would be long lasting and ultimately meaningful for eons to come.

Resource: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm