A government of our own is our natural right . . . it is infinitely wiser and safer to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance. —Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

In this quotation, Paine recommends
refusing to pay taxes to the British government.
doing business without regulations.
forming a government while the chance exists.
leaving American independence to chance.

forming a government while the chance exists.

Explanation:

Considering the quotation in the question, Thomas Paine in his Common Sense writing, which was published in 1776 when the American colonists were having issues with the British rule, recommended that America should form a government while the chance exists.

This is true because the quoted line says "..it is infinitely wiser and safer to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance..."

to extend a country’s power and influence

i believe the correct answer is b.