We could all use a little common sense right now. Possibly more than ever in recent memory. The American Crisis (no. 1), December 19, 1776, by Thomas Paine.
The American crisis (No. 1) By the author of Common sense. [Boston] Sold opposite the court house Queen Street [1776].
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as strait and clear as a ray of light.” — Thomas Paine
(from The Library of Congress)
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When I first came across this quote it was attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. I found a website that debunked this claim and correctly assigned it to Thomas Paine.
https://suebrewton.com/2015/11/30/no-leonardo-da-vinci-did-not-write-that/