...through the North American colonies after its publication in January 1776, with its announcement that "By referring the matter from argument to arms, a...is struck; a new method of thinking hath arisen." Common Sense appeared at the right moment and energized its readers by restating many of the old arguments...

...now. Now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender...tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters. . . . The authority of Britain over this continent . . . sooner or later must have an end." Delay,...

...proceedings now. Now is the seed-time of continental union and faith. The least fracture now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read it in full grown characters. The Cause of America is...

...on the habitable Globe. It is the seed-time of an union of Humanity. Failure to act now will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the name would enlarge with the tree, and years from now would become a readable, full-grown deformed scar...