The Rights of Man · Chapter
French Translator’s Preface (1792) explained
The French translator introduces Thomas Paine's 'Rights of Man' to the French public, praising Paine as a champion of freedom who preached 'Common Sense' successfully in America.
What happens
The French translator introduces Thomas Paine's 'Rights of Man' to the French public, praising Paine as a champion of freedom who preached 'Common Sense' successfully in America. The preface explains that Paine was forced to engage with Edmund Burke's criticisms due to English prejudices, but the translator chose to omit Paine's lengthy rebuttal preface and dedicatory epistle to Lafayette, as such formalities were deemed unsuitable for the free French people. The translator also expresses skepticism about Lafayette's sincerity, contrasting Paine's uncorrupted American integrity with the artful ways of courtiers.
Themes in this chapter
Natural Rights of Man
The preface highlights Paine's explanation of the 'Rights of Man' to the English people, central to the work's purpose.
Revolution and Reform
The translator frames the work as part of the revolutionary moment, suppressing old forms (dedicatory epistles) to suit the free French people.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Praised as 'that man of freedom' who preached 'Common Sense' to the world; described as an uncorrupted friend of freedom, single-minded and austere, bred away from courts.
- Edmund Burke
Mentioned as the target of Paine's answer; the translator dismisses the controversy as tedious and not affecting Paine.
- Marquis de La Fayette
Paine's dedicatory epistle to Lafayette was suppressed; the translator questions Lafayette's sincerity, suggesting he deceived Paine with courtly artfulness.
Key passages
“Paine, that man of freedom, who seems born to preach 'Common Sense' to the whole world with the same success as in America, explains in it to the people of England the theory of the practice of the Rights of Man.”
Paine, a natural advocate for liberty, who appears destined to spread 'Common Sense' globally as effectively as he did in America, here teaches the English the theoretical foundation for exercising their Rights of Man.
The translator elevates Paine as a universal figure of freedom, linking his American success to his current mission in England.
“The French can no longer endure dedicatory epistles. A man should write privately to those he esteems: when he publishes a book his thoughts should be offered to the public alone.”
The French people now reject dedicatory letters; personal admiration should be expressed in private, while published works must address the public directly.
Reflects revolutionary rejection of aristocratic patronage and the emphasis on public, democratic discourse.
“Paine, that uncorrupted friend of freedom, believed too in the sincerity of Lafayette. So easy is it to deceive men of single-minded purpose!”
Paine, an honest champion of liberty, naively trusted Lafayette's sincerity, showing how easily a focused, principled man can be misled.
The translator subtly criticizes Lafayette's courtly duplicity while praising Paine's integrity.