asked 198k views
4 votes
Paine’s primary purpose for saying that “a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has a good a pretense as [the king]” is to what?

asked
User Nisar
by
7.9k points

1 Answer

3 votes
Paine's purpose is to prove the king is no better than these types of bad men.

Paine is saying the king is no better than murderers and robbers and is just as likely to get help from God as they are. (Paine is saying if God is not likely to help a murderer, then God won't likely help the king, either.) The king himself is a murderer and robber, thanks to the way England engaged in war and taxation. Paine's point is that the king is just as immoral as a murderer.
answered
User Indyfromoz
by
8.6k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.