Excerpt from Common Sense, written in 1776 by Thomas Paine

I Do Not Choose To Be A Common Man... (OR Woman)!














I do not choose to be a common man.
It is my right to be uncommon … if I can.
I seek opportunity … not security.



I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
Humbled and dulled by having the State look after me.



I want to take the calculated risk,
To dream and to build. To fail and to succeed.



I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence;
The thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.



I will not trade freedom for beneficence
Nor my dignity for a handout
I will never cower before any master
Nor bend to any threat.



It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;
To think and act for myself,
To enjoy the benefit of my creations
And to face the world boldly and say:
This, with God’s help, I have done.



All this is what it means to be an Entrepreneur.