Read the excerpt from common sense. “to talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have faith . . is madness and folly.” paine uses the words “madness and folly” to emphasize that the colonists are not allowed to have a positive relationship with britain. must continue to try to build a relationship with the king. are unwise in attempting to achieve a positive relationship with britain. must be careful in their dealings with the king because he has gone mad.