Thomas Paine, an English-born American political activist wrote The Entrepreneur’s Creed. He also authored two of the most influential pamphlets, Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776-1783) at the start of the American Revolution and helped inspire the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Great Britain.

I find it interesting that Paine somehow looped in entrepreneurship with the politics of the day. It almost sounds similar to what’s going on across our great country today. Especially, as it’s been repeatedly stated that entrepreneurship is the backbone of American ingenuity, and it will be entrepreneurship that will drive our country’s recovery.

Yes, it’s interesting in that I see things coming full circle since 1776. It’ll be even more interesting to see if the next 250 years will parallel American History. Freedom. Independence. Entrepreneurship. The combination of the three… What a novel idea!

The Entrepreneur’s Creed

“I do not choose to be a common man,

It is my right to be uncommon … if I can,

I seek opportunity … not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen.

Humbled and dulled by having the

State look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk;

To dream and to build.

To fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;

I prefer the challenges of life

To the guaranteed existence;

The thrill of fulfillment

To the stale calm of Utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence

Nor my dignity for a handout

I will never cower before any master

Nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect.

Proud and unafraid;

To think and act for myself,

To enjoy the benefit of my creations

And to face the world boldly and say:

This, with God’s help, I have done

All this is what it means

To be an Entrepreneur.”