"Human nature is not of itself vicious"

Thomas Paine's quote suggests that humanity is not inherently bad or unethical. He believes that individuals are born with a natural disposition towards goodness and morality, and that it is just through external impacts that people end up being "vicious" or unethical. This idea is in line with the concept of "initial sin," which suggests that people are born innocent and just end up being corrupted by the world around them. Paine's quote implies that people are not born with a predisposition towards evil, however rather that it is something that is discovered and developed with time. He thinks that individuals have the capability to be good which it depends on them to pick to be virtuous. Ultimately, Paine's quote recommends that people have the power to choose their own fate which it depends on them to make the best choices.