Alexis de TocquevilleCan it be believed that the democracy, which has overthrown the feudal system and vanquished kings, will retreat before tradesmen and capitalists? ✨ Democracy in America.361Thought
Alexis de TocquevilleEvery nation that has ended in tyranny has come to that end by way of good order. It certainly does not follow from this that peoples should scorn public peace, but neither should… ▶361HumanityLovePolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleRulers who destroy men's freedom commonly begin by trying to retain its forms. ... They cherish the illusion that they can combine the prerogatives of absolute power with the mora… ▶362Politics
Alexis de TocquevilleThe aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike. ✨ Alexis De Tocqueville (201… ▶363HumanityReading
Alexis de TocquevilleEvery central government worships uniformity: uniformity relieves it from inquiry into an infinity of details. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1863). Democracy in America, p.363363Politics
Alexis de TocquevilleBy obliging men to turn their attention to other affairs than their own, it rubs off that private selfishness which is the rust of society. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1863). D… ▶352Humanity
Alexis de TocquevilleBorn often under another sky, placed in the middle of an always moving scene, himself driven by the irresistible torrent which draws all about him, the American has no time to tie… ▶374LovePhilosophyPolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleIn America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them.… ▶352Love
Alexis de TocquevilleWe can state with conviction, therefore, that a man's support for absolute government is in direct proportion to the contempt he feels for his country. ✨ 'L'Ancien… ▶353PoliticsReading
Alexis de TocquevilleIn no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more alert than in the United States, and nowhere else does the majority display less inclination toward doctrin… ▶364LovePolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleNo protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (2001). Democracy in America, p.268, Penguin342Philosophy
Alexis de TocquevilleFreedom sees in religion the companion of its struggles and its triumphs, the cradle of its infancy, the divine source of its rights. It considers religion as the safeguard of mor… ▶321PoliticsReflection
Alexis de TocquevilleLocal assemblies of the people constitute the strength of free nations. Municipal institutions are to liberty what primary schools are to science: they bring it within the people'… ▶343HumanityPolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleLiberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1847). Democracy in America, p.11332Hope
Alexis de TocquevilleTo remain silent is the most useful service that a mediocre speaker can render to the public good. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville, Arthur Goldhammer (2004). Democracy in America, p… ▶355Politics
Alexis de TocquevilleI have always thought it rather interesting to follow the involuntary movements of fear in clever people. Fools coarsely display their cowardice in all its nakedness, but the othe… ▶322HumanityThought
Alexis de TocquevilleThere is hardly a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1990). Democracy in America333Politics
Alexis de TocquevilleIn a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1896). Recollections, p.85, Library of Alexandria322Reading
Alexis de TocquevilleThe American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.366Thought
Alexis de TocquevilleTo get the inestimable good that freedom of the press assures one must know how to submit to the inevitable evil it gives rise to. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (2012). Democracy … ▶311Truth
Alexis de TocquevilleTrade is the natural enemy of all violent passions. Trade loves moderation, delights in compromise, and is most careful to avoid anger. It is patient, supple, and insinuating, onl… ▶355LoveReadingThought
Alexis de TocquevilleI studied the Koran a great deal. I came away from that study with the conviction there have been few religions in the world as deadly to men as that of Muhammad. ✨ The Tocq… ▶301DeathLifePolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleI shall not fear to say that the doctrine of self-interest rightly understood seems to me of all the philosophic theories the most appropriate to the needs of men in our time, and… ▶301PoliticsThoughtTime
Alexis de TocquevilleThere is hardly a congressman prepared to go home until he has at least one speech printed and sent to his constituents, and he won't let anybody interrupt his harangue until he h… ▶312PoliticsTime
Alexis de TocquevilleSlavery...dishonors labor. It introduces idleness into society, and with idleness, ignorance and pride, luxury and distress. It enervates the powers of the mind and benumbs the ac… ▶367HumanityPoliticsThought
Alexis de TocquevilleThe best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always … ▶312DeathPoliticsReflection
Alexis de TocquevilleThere is, in fact, a manly and lawful passion for equality which excites men to wish all to be powerful and honored. This passion tends to elevate the humble to the rank of the gr… ▶356HumanityLovePolitics
Alexis de TocquevilleIn the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions… ▶323PoliticsReading
Alexis de TocquevilleWhen, after having examined in detail the organization of the Supreme Court, one comes to consider in sum the prerogatives that have been given it, one discovers without difficult… ▶356HumanityPoliticsReflection
Alexis de TocquevilleWhen the taste for physical gratifications among them has grown more rapidly than their education . . . the time will come when men are carried away and lose all self-restraint . … ▶357HumanityTime
