“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.”
Society
“Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves.”
BestAll Quotes by Alexis de Tocqueville
“As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?”
Money“The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.”
Religion“I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.”
Freedom“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.”
War“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.”
Equality“What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but that great fortunes should not remain in the same hands. In that way there are rich men, but they do not form a class.”
Great“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”
Men“Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.”
Equality“Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.”
Society“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.”
Government“When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.”
Future“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”
Faith“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.”
Business“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.”
Health“In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.”
Politics“No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.”
Freedom“He was as great as a man can be without morality.”
Great“Life is to be entered upon with courage.”
Courage“The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.”
Power