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 that they may absolutely refuse to move at all. Alexis de Tocqueville on men
There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. Alexis de Tocqueville on men
It is the dissimilarities and inequalities among men which give rise to the notion of honor as such differences become less, it grows feeble and when they disappear, it will vanish too. Alexis de Tocqueville on men
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. Alexis de Tocqueville on men
The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money. Alexis de Tocqueville on money
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? Alexis de Tocqueville on money
There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. Alexis de Tocqueville on politics
In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships. Alexis de Tocqueville on politics
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 on positive
The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people. Alexis de Tocqueville on power
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. Alexis de Tocqueville on religion
The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. Alexis de Tocqueville on society
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 on society
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. Alexis de Tocqueville on society
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 on war
No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. Alexis de Tocqueville on war
There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to begin a war and to end it. Alexis de Tocqueville on war
Men will never establish any equality with which they can be contented. Whatever efforts a people may make, they will never succeed in reducing all the conditions of society to a perfect level. Alexis de Tocqueville on success