Rulers who destroy men's freedom commonly begin by trying to retain it…

Alexis de Tocqueville
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Rulers 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 moral authority that comes from popular assent. ✨ Alexis De Tocqueville (2010). The Old Regime and the French Revolution, p.45, Anchor
Politics
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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 … ▶
Of all nations, those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase. ✨ Alexis De Tocqueville (2004). Democracy in America: The Complete and Unabridged Volumes I a … ▶
The Americans never use the word peasant, because they have no idea of the class which that term denotes; the ignorance of more remote ages, the simplicity of rural life, and the rusticity of the vil … ▶
Despotism often presents itself as the repairer of all the ills suffered, the support of just rights, defender of the oppressed, and founder of order. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (1990). Democracy in Ame … ▶
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