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.

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
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
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
In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XV, in a section titled Tryanny of the Majority.
- America
The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XVII.
There is hardly a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.
Democracy in America, ed. J. P. Mayer, trans. George Lawrence, vol. 1, part 2, chapter 8, p. 270 (1969). Originally published in 1835–1840.
- America
- Laws
When American(s) ask for the cooperation of (their) fellow citizens, it is seldom refused; and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously and with great good will.
- America
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.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter II.
- America
The great privilege of the Americans does not consist in being more enlightened than other nations, but in being able to repair the faults they may commit.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XIII (tr. Henry Reeve)
- America
I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XV.
- America
- Freedom

Most quoted

People A to Z

C. S. Lewis1898–1963151 quotes

Mark Twain1835–1910151 quotes

Benjamin Franklin1706–179098 quotes

Martin Luther King Jr.1929–196884 quotes

Albert Einstein1879–195595 quotes

Dave Barryborn 1947100 quotes