The more government takes the place of associations, the more will individuals lose the idea of forming associations and need the government to come to their help. That is a vicious circle of cause and effect.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
Alexis de Tocqueville on government
Alexis de Tocqueville70 quotes“The more government takes the place of associations, the more will individuals lose the idea of forming associations and need the government to come to their help. That is a vicious circle of cause and effect.”
More from Alexis de Tocqueville
History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville Every central government worships uniformity: uniformity relieves it from inquiry into an infinity of details.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville America is great because she is good.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville 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 TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville If an American was condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville 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 TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville When I refuse to obey an unjust law, I do not contest the right of the majority to command, but I simply appeal from the sovereignty of the people to the sovereignty of mankind.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville Life is to be entered upon with courage.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville One of the most ordinary weaknesses of the human intellect is to seek to reconcile contrary principles, and to purchase peace at the expense of logic.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis 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.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville I have only one passion, the love of liberty and human dignity.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville 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 TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville Nothing is so dangerous as that of violence employed by well-meaning people for beneficial objects.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville Righteous women in their circle of influence, beginning in the home, can turn the world around.
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville
Original quotes
From our community writers
I managed to cut myself loose and while there was pain – there weren’t any blood.
Jenny WinbladhJenny Winbladh Free will exist only in a confused mind.
Frode GaslandFrode Gasland If you are true to yourself, you are already a winner.
Alex DanielAlex Daniel You deserve words that remind you of your value.
Saif Ali ManganSaif Ali Mangan Do always wonder about your worth and remind yourself that even roses have their own thorns.
Megan LaoMegan Lao I’m like sugar in the coffee. Stir me and I’ll dissolve into you.
BelaBela Plans have changed. Life looks different. & now we’re all figuring it out as we go.
Tanya GillTanya Gill Be loyal to those loyal to you.
Sonya TeclaiSonya Teclai
Meet the writers
More on government
Together we will build an America where hope is a new job with a paycheck, not a faded word on an old bumper sticker.
Mitt RomneyMitt Romney The only true solution would be a convention under which all the governments would bind themselves to defend collectively any country that was attacked.
Alfred NobelAlfred Nobel For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.
Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift The Modi government started several welfare schemes for poor and realised the dream of corruption-free India.
Yogi AdityanathYogi Adityanath My life isn’t over and I’m not going to sit in a rocking chair and take money from the government.
Colonel SandersColonel Sanders Government is not a trade which any man or body of men has a right to set up and exercise for his own emolument, but is altogether a trust, in right of those by whom that trust is delegated, and by whom it is always resumable. It has of itself no rights; they are altogether duties.
Thomas PaineThomas Paine By ensuring that no one in government has too much power, the Constitution helps protect ordinary Americans every day against abuse of power by those in authority.
John RobertsJohn Roberts Every age that has historical status is governed by aristocracies.
Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels