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

Quote by Alexis De Tocqueville

Topics: Democracy Quotes

As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they...

As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they...

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

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

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...

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 genius of democracies is seen not only in the great number of new words...

The genius of democracies is seen not only in the great number of new words...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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,...

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

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

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...

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...

The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive...

The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive...

The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged...

The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged...

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...

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...

The United States basically accepted protection abroad as the price of post-war recovery. Now, that...

The United States basically accepted protection abroad as the price of post-war recovery. Now, that...

Success, instead of giving freedom of choice, becomes a way of life. There's no country...

Success, instead of giving freedom of choice, becomes a way of life. There's no country...

I don't run democracy. I train troops to defend democracy and I happen to be...

I don't run democracy. I train troops to defend democracy and I happen to be...