The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public democratic assemblies.

Quote by Alexis De Tocqueville

Topics: Alexis De Tocqueville Quotes

In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for...

In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for...

Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than...

Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than...

There is hardly a pioneer's hut which does not contain a few odd volumes of...

There is hardly a pioneer's hut which does not contain a few odd volumes of...

All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know...

All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know...

It is the dissimilarities and inequalities among men which give rise to the notion of...

It is the dissimilarities and inequalities among men which give rise to the notion of...

Life is to entered upon with courage.

Life is to entered upon with courage.

What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but...

What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but...

In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers...

In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers...

'The will of the nation' is one of those expressions which have been most profusely...

'The will of the nation' is one of those expressions which have been most profusely...

Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I...

Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I...

When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.

When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.

The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from...

The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from...

I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in...

I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in...

He was as great as a man can be without morality.

He was as great as a man can be without morality.

In other words, a democratic government is the only one in which those who vote...

In other words, a democratic government is the only one in which those who vote...

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.

In no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more...

In no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more...

In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.

In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.

Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves.

Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves.

By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill,...

By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill,...