Author: Alexis de Tocqueville

Quotes

The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.

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

All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.

All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.

- 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.

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

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.

- Alexis de Tocqueville

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.

- Alexis de Tocqueville

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it.

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

I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.

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

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

- Alexis de Tocqueville

The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive taste for well-being which men acquire in times of equality.

The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive taste for well-being which men acquire in times of equality.

- Alexis de Tocqueville

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