Paine's essay considers monarchy and hereditary succession to be evil, unjust, and degrading to humankind: "the monarchy and succession have laid but the world in blood and ashes." In his essay, Paine implies that not all kings come from noble, honorable origins. He stipulates that the tradition of king was started by heathens (pagans) and was foolishly followed by Christians even though certain sections of the Bible criticize the monarchy.