In the excerpt from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, he writes, "To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have
faith, and our affections wounded through a thousand pores instruct us to
detest, is madness and folly."
Which of the following statements is the most accurate paraphrasing of his meaning in this
quote?
The British have hurt us, and therefore, we need to have faith that our friendship with them will get
better.
Our reason forbids us to have faith in God, and therefore, we can only rely upon our friendship with
the British.
The British have prevented us from exercising our religion, and therefore it is madness and folly to be
friends with them.
It defies reason, and is even madne and folly, to continue pursuing a friendship with Britain, because
they have hurt us and have proven themselves untrustworthy.