Rulers who destroy men’s freedom commonly begin by trying to retain its forms. … They cherish the illusion that they can combine the prerogatives of absolute power with the moral authority that comes from popular assent.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLEThe 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 Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes
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The man who asks of freedom anything other than itself is born to be a slave.
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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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As for me, I am deeply a democrat; this is why I am in no way a socialist. Democracy and socialism cannot go together. You can’t have it both ways. Socialism is a new form of slavery.
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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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I vow that I do not hold that complete and instantaneous love for the freedom of the press that one accords to things whose nature is unqualifiedly good. I love it out of consideration for the evils it prevents much more than for the good it does.
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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.
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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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Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.
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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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A man’s admiration of absolute government is proportionate to the contempt he feels for those around him.
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Socialism is a new form of slavery.
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The last thing a political party gives up is its vocabulary.
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To remain silent is the most useful service that a mediocre speaker can render to the public good.
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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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Society is endangered not by the great profligacy of a few, but by the laxity of morals amongst all.
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