The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive taste for well-being which men acquire in times of equality.

Quote by Alexis De Tocqueville

Topics: Alexis De Tocqueville Quotes

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...

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...

The great advantage of the American is that he has arrived at a state of...

The great advantage of the American is that he has arrived at a state of...

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...

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...

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in...

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in...

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.

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

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.

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 power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.

The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...