A quote from John Adams

His sentiments of the Abilities of America, and of the Difficulty of a Reconciliation with Great Britain are generally approved. But his Notions and Plans of Continental Government are not much applauded. Indeed this Writer has a better Hand at pulling down than building.

— Regarding Thomas Paine and his book, Common Sense. A letter to his wife, Abigail Adams [March 19th, 1776]