Eat a Peach

A government of our own is our natural right: And when
a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human
affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely
wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a
cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power,
than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance.
If we omit it now, some, Massanello may hereafter arise,
who laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect
together the desperate and discontented, and by assuming
to themselves the powers of government, may sweep
away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.

--Thomas Paine, "Common Sense"

(Massanello Footnote: Thomas Anello, otherwise Massanello, a
fisherman of Naples, who after spiriting up his countrymen in the
public market place, against the oppression of the Spaniards, to
whom the place was then subject, prompted them to revolt, and
in the space of a day became king.)

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