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.

Quote by Alexis De Tocqueville

Topics: Alexis De Tocqueville Quotes

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 Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that...

The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that...

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...

Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him...

Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him...

No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.

No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax...

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax...

The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly...

The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly...

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...

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed...

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed...

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no...

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no...

The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die...

The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die...

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...

Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him...

Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him...

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax...

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax...

The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary...

The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary...

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 only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.

Who then is free? The one who wisely is lord of themselves, who neither poverty,...

Who then is free? The one who wisely is lord of themselves, who neither poverty,...

I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and...

I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and...