Historians' History of the World: "More than one hundred thousand copies
of his 'Common Sense' were sold in a short time."
Prof. John Fiske: "More than a hundred thousand copies were speedily
sold, and it carried conviction wherever it went."
Salmonsen's Conversationslexicon: "It had an immense sale (120,000
copies) and exerted an enormous influence."
Samuel M. Jackson, D.D., LL.D.: "'Common Sense' (120,000 copies were
sold in the first three months) struck the keynote of the situation by
advocating Independence and a Republican form of government."
(Referring to the sale of "Common Sense," Paine's biographer, Dr.
Moncure D. Conway, says: "In the end probably half a million copies were
sold.")
Eben Greenough Scott: "It was a plea for independence and a continental
government."
Best of the World's Classics: "In this work Paine advocated complete
separation from England."
Nordisk Familjebok Konversationslexicon: "He as boldly as convincingly
sh owed the necessity of the Colonies tearing themselves away from
England."
Rev. Charles E. Little: "His 'Common Sense' was widely circulated and
greatly aided the Revolution by showing the importance and necessity of
seeking independence."
Robert Bissett, LL. D.: "'Common Sense,' published [written] by Thomas
Paine, afterwards so famous in Europe, contributed very much to the
ratification of the independence of America."
John Frost, LL.D.: "It demonstrated the necessity, advantages, and
practicability of independence."
Dr. George Weber: "Written in an eminently popular style it had an
immense circulation, and was of great service in preparing the minds of
the people for Independence."
Henry Howard Brownell: "The book was extensively circulated, and
exercised, beyond question, a most powerful influence."
Robert Mackenzie: "His treatise had, for those days, a vast circulation
and an extraordinary influence."
Oscar Fay Adams: "His famous pamphlet 'Common Sense' was of great
service to the Americans."
Eva M. Tappan: "Its clear and logical arguments were a power in bringing
on the war."
D. H. Montgomery: "Paine boldly said that the time had come for a 'final
separation' from England, and that 'arms must decide the contest.'"
Rev. John Schroeder, D.D.: "'Common Sense,' from the pen of Thomas
Paine, produced a wonderful effect in the different colonies in favor of
Independence."
Woodrow Wilson: "Pamphlets which argued with slow and sober power gave
place to pamphlets which rang with passionate appeals: which thrust
constitutional argument upon one side and spoke flatly for independence.
One such took precedence of all others, whether for boldness or for
power, the extraordinary pamphlet which Thomas Paine, but the other
day come out of England as if upon mere adventure, gave to the world as
'Common Sense.'"
American Reference Library: "'Common Sense,' more than any other single
writing furnished the logical basis of Independence."
"'Common Sense' first formulated the demand for Independence."--The
_Nation_ (London).
Benson J. Lossing, LL.D.: "It was the earliest and most powerful appeal
in behalf of Independence, and probably did more to fix that idea firmly
in the public mind than any other instrumentality."
Richard Hildreth: "It argued in that plain and convincing style for
which Paine was so distinguished."
Edmund Randolph: "A style hitherto unknown on this side of the
Atlantic."
Charles Kendall Adams, LL.D: "A work which had great influence on the
Colonists."
"The success and influence of this publication was extraordinary, and
it won for him the friendship of Washington, Franklin and other
distinguished American leaders."--_Chambers' Encyclopedia_.
J. Franklin Jameson, LL.D.: "'Common Sense'... exerted a profound
impression."
John T. Morse, Jr.: "Thomas Paine had sent 'Common Sense' abroad among
the people and had stirred them profoundly."