Times of stress

Posted by Bruce Kahl on January 13, 2004

In Reply to: Times of stress posted by Devi Jankowicz on January 12, 2004

: Can anyone kindly help me with the reference to the phrase
: 'These are the times that try men's souls'
: or something like it?
: Many thanks!

"These are the times that try men's souls.The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot may, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
The opening words of the series of pamphlets "The American Crisis", by Thomas Paine, begun in late 1776, seeking to stir up revolutionary spirit in the colonies.

Paine's eloquent yet straightforward writing emphasized the injustice of British actions towards the colonies. And Paine wasn't above slinging some mud, describing the British king as "a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man."

(Paine's words are still quoted occasionally in troublesome situations)

Ya hear that Mr. Bush--"The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot"???