Excerpt from Common Sense, written in 1776 by Thomas Paine

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.

