Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I.“’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.”Which best describes the purpose of this excerpt?

Paine praises people who remain firm and follow their principles even when doing so is dangerous. In the context of The Crisis, this statement encourages colonists to persevere in the fight for independence rather than give up. Therefore, the best choice is “to inspire colonists to join the fight for independence.”

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