There are persons too who see not the full extent of the evil that threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if they succeed, will be merciful. it is the madness of folly to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war: the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf; and we ought to guard equally against both. what is thomas paine’s main point in this passage from the crisis? colonists need to rely on their cleverness rather than their strength. england will trick the colonists into war by refusing to be merciful. it is better to plead with the enemy and await their mercy than to fight. you cannot expect mercy from one who has just conquered you.