# Society vs. Government in Essays

> Theme guide for Essays by Thomas Paine.

Paine distinguishes society, which arises from natural wants and promotes happiness, from government, which is a necessary evil born from human wickedness, and argues that government should be limited and serve only to protect security.

## Where it surfaces

- [Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-the-origin-and-design-of-government-in-general-with-concise-remarks-on-the-english-constitution): Paine clearly distinguishes society as a blessing produced by our wants, and government as a necessary evil produced by our wickedness.
- [Agrarian Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/agrarian-justice): Paine distinguishes between the benefits of civilized society and the evils it has produced, calling for reformed legislation to preserve the benefits while remedying the evils.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/themes/society_vs_government
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/themes