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Please help me interpret this-I'm in 8th grade and I don't have any idea:

What is the main idea?
Read the following quote from Thomas Paine's pamphlet, Common Sense.
Summarize the main idea of the passage. "Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamities is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer! Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others."

Erik/Joel/Samantha, stop switching names. We do not care if you put up multiple posts (although you should attempt at least a guess at the answers...) as long as you don't switch names!

I'm not really sure what you mean-I just didn't understand this-I'm not pretending to be anyone else-

I just needed help with this

Here is how you can summarize. Write down the 2 nouns: society and government

Now find all the adjectives that describe each noun. THAT will tell you.

Sra

Society is good, and government is a necessary evil?

I agree with SraJMcGin, that will give you the answers.

The main idea of this passage from Thomas Paine's pamphlet, Common Sense, is the distinction between society and government. Paine argues that society and government are different in nature and have different origins. He explains that society is formed by our natural needs and desires, while government is created due to human wickedness and vices. Paine states that society promotes happiness by bringing people together and fostering positive relationships, while government primarily exists to control and restrain our negative behaviors. He also emphasizes that society is generally a positive force, bringing benefits to people, but even the best government is only a necessary evil and can become intolerable. Paine suggests that government is a consequence of our loss of innocence and that it is needed to protect our property and ensure security. He concludes by stating that the best form of government is the one that can achieve security with the least expense and the greatest benefit.