Laws are always unstable unless they are founded on the manners of a nation; and manners are the only durable and resisting power in a people. Alexis de Tocqueville More Quotes by Alexis de Tocqueville More Quotes From Alexis de Tocqueville A great democratic revolution is taking place in our midst. Alexis de Tocqueville midst democratic revolution All around you everything is on the move. Alexis de Tocqueville moving Nothing is more annoying in the ordinary intercourse of life than this irritable patriotism of the Americans. A foreigner will gladly agree to praise much in their country, but he would like to be allowed to criticize something, and that he is absolutely refused. Alexis de Tocqueville political ordinary country The principle of equality does not destroy the imagination, but lowers its flight to the level of the earth. Alexis de Tocqueville egalitarianism equality imagination We can state with conviction, therefore, that a man's support for absolute government is in direct proportion to the contempt he feels for his country. Alexis de Tocqueville support men country The world belongs to those with the most energy. Alexis de Tocqueville energy world It must not be forgotten that it is especially dangerous to enslave men in the minor details of life. For my part, I should be inclined to think freedom less necessary in the great things than in the little ones, if it were possible to be secure of the one without the other. Alexis de Tocqueville details-of-life men thinking You may be sure that if you succeed in bringing your audience into the presence of something that affects them, they will not care by what road you brought them there; and they will never reproach you for having excited their emotions in spite of dramatic rules. Alexis de Tocqueville succeed care may In America one of the first things done in a new State is to make the post go there; in the forests of Michigan there is no cabin so isolated, no valley so wild, but that letters and newspapers arrive at least once a week. Alexis de Tocqueville cabins valleys america The taste for well-being is the prominent and indelible feature of democratic times. Alexis de Tocqueville prosperity democratic taste 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 selfishness law men Better use has been made of association and this powerful instrument of action has been applied for more varied aims in America than anywhere else in the world. Alexis de Tocqueville democracy powerful america Amongst democratic nations men easily attain a certain equality of conditions: they can never attain the equality they desire. It perpetually retires from before them, yet without hiding itself from their sight, and in retiring draws them on. At every moment they think they are about to grasp it; it escapes at every moment from their hold. They are near enough to see its charms, but too far off to enjoy them; and before they have fully tasted its delights they die. Alexis de Tocqueville sight men thinking There is hardly a congressman prepared to go home until he has at least one speech printed and sent to his constituents, and he won't let anybody interrupt his harangue until he has made all his useful suggestions about the 24 states of the Union, and especially the district he represents. Alexis de Tocqueville suggestions government home It is far more important to resist apathy than anarchy or despotism, for apathy can give rise, almost indifferently, to either one. Alexis de Tocqueville apathy important giving Americans of all ages, all stations in life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations. There are not only commercial and industrial associations in which all take part, but others of a thousand different types-religious, moral, serious, futile, very general and very limited, immensely large and very minute....At the head of any new undertaking, where in France you would find the government or in England some territorial magnate, in the United States you are sure to find an association. Alexis de Tocqueville government religious forever The Union was formed by the voluntary agreement of the States; and these, in uniting together, have not forfeited their Nationality, nor have they been reduced to the condition of one and the same people. If one of the States chose to withdraw its name from the contract, it would be difficult to disprove its right of doing so. Alexis de Tocqueville agreement names people Local assemblies of the people constitute the strength of free nations. Municipal institutions are to liberty what primary schools are to science: they bring it within the people's reach, and teach them how to use and enjoy it. A nation may establish a system of free government, but without the spirit of municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty. Alexis de Tocqueville government people school Can it be believed that the democracy, which has overthrown the feudal system and vanquished kings, will retreat before tradesmen and capitalists? Alexis de Tocqueville feudal-system democracy kings Of all nations, those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase. Alexis de Tocqueville difficulty civilization world
