Who said “When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.”?

Verified

Thomas Paine. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Reflections on Titles", Pennsylvania Magazine (May, 1775)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Reflections on Titles", Pennsylvania Magazine (May, 1775).

APA

Paine, T. (n.d.). When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39984-when-men-yield-up-the-privilege-of-thinking/

MLA

Paine, Thomas. “When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39984-when-men-yield-up-the-privilege-of-thinking/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Paine, Thomas. “When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39984-when-men-yield-up-the-privilege-of-thinking/.