An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls in…

Alexis de Tocqueville
184 citations
An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say 'Gentlemen' to the person with whom he is conversing. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (2001). Democracy in America, p.102, Penguin
Death
23

More Author Quotes

When a large number of organs of the press come to advance along the same track, their influence becomes almost irresistible in the long term, and public opinion, struck always from the same side, en … ▶
Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. ✨ Dis … ▶
Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot. How is it possible that society should escape destruction if the moral tie is not strengthened in proportion as the political tie is relaxed? A … ▶
Society was cut in two: those who had nothing united in common envy; those who had anything united in common terror. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1995). Recollections: the French Revolution of 1848, p.98 … ▶
Every 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 they be satisfied w … ▶

More Author Quotes

Most Cited Authors

The Best Quotes

Most Liked Authors

Curated Author Quotes