By obliging men to turn their attention to other affairs than their own, it rubs off that private selfishness which is the rust of society. Alexis de Tocqueville More Quotes by Alexis de Tocqueville More Quotes From Alexis de Tocqueville The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind. Alexis de Tocqueville mankind language ties I am far from denying that newspapers in democratic countries lead citizens to do very ill-considered things in common; but without newspapers there would be hardly any common action at all. So they mend many more ills than they cause. Alexis de Tocqueville would-be country america Generally speaking, only simple conceptions can grip the mind of a nation. An idea that is clear and precise even though false will always have greater power in the world than an idea that is true but complex. Alexis de Tocqueville simple mind ideas I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in which we live I am ready to worship it. Alexis de Tocqueville liberty should-have believe Religion in America . . . Must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions for that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it . . . I do know know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion - for who can search the human heart? - But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society. Alexis de Tocqueville party heart country The happy and powerful do not go into exile, and there are no surer guarantees of equality among men than poverty and misfortune. Alexis de Tocqueville powerful guarantees men If men are to remain civilized or to become so, the art of associating together must grow and improve in the same ratio in which the equality of conditions is increased. Alexis de Tocqueville together men art There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to begin a war and to end it. Alexis de Tocqueville war two people 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? And what can be done with a people who are their own masters if they are not submissive to the Deity? Alexis de Tocqueville ties faith people Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts, the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims. Alexis de Tocqueville conflict liberty christianity No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. Alexis de Tocqueville war peace country As the past has ceased to throw its light upon the future, the mind of man wanders in obscurity. Alexis de Tocqueville light men past 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 business success positive Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations. In democratic countries knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge; on its progress depends that of all the others. Alexis de Tocqueville mother country america When, after having examined in detail the organization of the Supreme Court, one comes to consider in sum the prerogatives that have been given it, one discovers without difficulty that a more immense judicial power has never been constituted in any people. Alexis de Tocqueville judicial-power organization people Equality is a slogan based on envy. It signifies in the heart of every republican: "Nobody is going to occupy a place higher than I." Alexis de Tocqueville envy equality heart If ever America undergoes great revolutions, they will be brought about by the presence of the black race on the soil of the United States - that is to say, they will owe their origin not to the equality but to the inequality of conditions. Alexis de Tocqueville race wisdom america The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly raises his eyes above him with anxiety. The Englishman lowers his beneath him with satisfaction. Alexis de Tocqueville anxiety eye want Democratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery. Alexis de Tocqueville equality passion regret On close inspection, we shall find that religion, and not fear, has ever been the cause of the long-lived prosperity of an absolute government. Alexis de Tocqueville government fear long
