When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLEIn politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
More Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes
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Any measure that establishes legal charity on a permanent basis and gives it an administrative form thereby creates an idle and lazy class, living at the expense of the industrial and working class.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I have seen Americans making great and sincere sacrifices for the key common good and a hundred times I have noticed that, when needs be, they almost always gave each other faithful support.
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If I were asked to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of Americans ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women.
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However energetically society in general may strive to make all the citizens equal and alike, the personal pride of each individual will always make him try to escape from the common level, and he will form some inequality somewhere to his own profit.
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There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America.
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In the principle of equality I very clearly discern two tendencies; one leading the mind of every man to untried thoughts, the other prohibiting him from thinking at all.
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The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.
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I do not know if the people of the United States would vote for superior men if they ran for office, but there can be no doubt that such men do not run.
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The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind.
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It is easier for the world to accept a simple lie than a complex truth.
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In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
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As the past has ceased to throw its light upon the future, the mind of man wanders in obscurity.
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Socialism is a new form of slavery.
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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.
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Despotism often presents itself as the repairer of all the ills suffered, the support of just rights, defender of the oppressed, and founder of order.
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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.
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There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.
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Those who prize freedom only for the material benefits it offers have never kept it for long.
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Men will not receive the truth from their enemies, and it is seldom offered to them by their friends.
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Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
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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.”
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The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.
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The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.
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