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

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...

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...

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.

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.

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.

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

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

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...

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

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

The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.

The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.

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...

There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to...

There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to...

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...

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...

In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the...

In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the...

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...

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...

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.

An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation....

An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation....

I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every...

I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every...

The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but...

The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but...