"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself"

This quote by Thomas Paine emphasizes the value of protecting the rights of others, even those who might be thought about enemies. Paine is suggesting that if we do not secure the rights of others, we are setting a precedent that could become utilized versus us. He is suggesting that in order to guarantee our own liberty, we need to safeguard the liberty of others. This quote is a reminder that we need to be mindful of our actions and how they might affect others. It is a pointer that we must want to defend the rights of others, even if they are not our own. By doing so, we are safeguarding our own rights and freedoms.