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Quotes about America

379 quotes from 149 people

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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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Book One, Chapter II.
- 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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XV, in a section titled Tryanny of the Majority.
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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XVII.
- Christianity
- Liberty
There is hardly a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, ed. J. P. Mayer, trans. George Lawrence, vol. 1, part 2, chapter 8, p. 270 (1969). Originally published in 1835–1840.
- 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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859
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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter II.
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.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XIII (tr. Henry Reeve)
I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.
Alexis de Tocqueville1805–1859Democracy in America, Volume I (1835), Chapter XV.
- Freedom
America is a large friendly dog in a small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair.
Arnold Toynbee1852–1883
Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.
Pierre Trudeau1919–2000Speech to the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. (25 March 1969)
This is a Christian nation.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972“Exchange of Messages With Pope Pius XII,” American Presidency Project (August 28, 1947)
- Christianity
No one who has not had the responsibility can really understand what it is like to be President, not even his closest aides or members of his immediate family. There is no end to the chain of responsibility that binds him, and he is never allowed to forget that he is President.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
- Presidency
A President either is constantly on top of events or, if he hesitates, events will soon be on top of him. I never felt that I could let up for a single moment.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
- Presidency
When you get to be President, there are all those things, the honors, the twenty-one gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn’t for you. It’s for the Presidency.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
- Presidency
I would rather have peace in the world than be President.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
- Presidency
- War & Peace