“ 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, h… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and th… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ In other words, a democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ 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. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary crisis, or a battle. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ When a legislator succeeds, after persevering efforts, in exercising an indirect influence upon the destiny of nations, his genius is lauded by mankind, whilst, in point of fact, the geographical posi… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Alexis de Tocqueville
“ It is indeed difficult to imagine how men who have entirely renounced the habit of managing their own affairs could be successful in choosing those who ought to lead them. It is impossible to believe… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public d… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ What good does it do me, after all, if an ever-watchful authority keeps an eye out to ensure that my pleasures will be tranquil and races ahead of me to ward off all danger, sparing me the need even t… Alexis de Tocqueville
“ Society will develop a new kind of servitude which covers the surface of society with a network of complicated rules, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot pen… Alexis de Tocqueville
