Thomas Paine
Equality
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Human Rights (Equality)

Mankind being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstances; the distinctions of rich and poor, may in great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice. Oppression is often the consequence but seldom or never the means of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him to timorous to become wealthy."
                              Common Sense, On Monarchy and Hereditary Succession, First paragraph

"For all men being originally equals ……."
                              Common Sense, On Monarchy and Hereditary Succession, page 7

Paine aroused and inspired Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence months after reading Common Sense.