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.

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
The genius of democracies is seen not only in the great number of new words introduced but even more in the new ideas they express.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book One, Chapter XVI.
- Democracy
- Ideas
A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it.
Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XIII.
- Democracy
- Economics
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.
12 September 1848, “Discours prononcé à l’assemblée constituante le 12 Septembre 1848 sur la question du droit au travail”, Oeuvres complètes, vol. IX, p. 546
- Democracy
The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.
- Democracy
What chiefly diverts the men of democracies from lofty ambition is not the scantiness of their fortunes, but the vehemence of the exertions they daily make to improve them.
Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book Three, Chapter XIX.
- Democracy
- Motivation & Goals

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