History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLEI 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.
More Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes
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In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own.
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Life is to be entered upon with courage.
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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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The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage.
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Every central government worships uniformity: uniformity relieves it from inquiry into an infinity of details.
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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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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.
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America is great because she is good.
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Righteous women in their circle of influence, beginning in the home, can turn the world around.
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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.
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The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.
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The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.
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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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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.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE







