The quotations of

Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker and historian, minister of Foreign Affairs

1805–1859

39 quotes, most often on America, Democracy and Freedom.

Though it is very important for man as an individual that his religion should be true, that is not the case for society. Society has nothing to fear or hope from another life; what is most important for it is not that all citizens profess the true religion but that they should profess religion.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XVII.
- Religion
When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Four, Chapter VIII
- Time
The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.
The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856), p. 214
- Government
Life is to entered upon with courage.
- Courage
- Life & Death
What is the 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.
- Democracy
- Money
There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult⁠—to begin a war and to end it.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Three, Chapter XXII.
- Democracy
- War & Peace
Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter III, Part I
- America
- Freedom
The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive taste for well-being which men acquire in times of equality.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book One, Chapter V.
- Religion
History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.
The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856), p. 88
- History
Born often under another sky, placed in the middle of an always moving scene, himself driven by the irresistible torrent which draws all about him, the American has no time to tie himself to anything, he grows accustomed only to change, and ends by regarding it as the natural state of man. He feels the need of it, more he loves it; for the instability; instead of meaning disaster to him, seems to give birth only to miracles all about him.
National Character of Americans—first impressions (1831) Oeuvres complètes, vol. VIII, p. 233.
- America
- Change
The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary crisis, or a battle.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XVIII.
- America
Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.
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.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book One, Chapter II.
- America
- Thinking
Nothing is quite so wretchedly corrupt as an aristocracy which has lost its power but kept its wealth and which still has endless leisure to devote to nothing but banal enjoyments. All its great thoughts and passionate energy are things of the past, and nothing but a host of petty, gnawing vices now cling to it like worms to a corpse.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Three, Chapter XI.
- Money
- Morality
I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in which we live I am ready to worship it.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Four, Chapter VII.
- Freedom

Often credited to Alexis de Tocqueville

Quotes often credited to Alexis de Tocqueville that were said or written by someone else.

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