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Interesting Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes


Alexis de Tocqueville was a 19th century french philosopher/political scientist/sociologist. (of course these terms hadn’t been invented yet, thus why it is so hard to label him) He wrote a book called “Democracy in America” in which he analyze and often criticized American democracy in comparison to french aristocracy. 
“Men will never educate and develop their intelligence without devoting time to the matter. Therefore the greater or less ease with which people can live without working sets inevitable limits to their intellectual progress”  pg 197
“Despotism often presents itself as the repairer of all ills suffered, the support of just rights, defender of the oppressed, and founder of order. Peoples are lulled to sleep by the temporary prosperity it engenders, and when they do wake up, they are wretched. But liberty is generally born in stormy weather, growing with difficulty amid civil discords, and only when it is already old does one see the blessings it has brought.”  pg 240
“In politics he [the American citizen] takes a part in undertakings he has not thought of, and they give him a general taste for enterprise. Daily new improvements to communal property are suggested to him, and that starts him wishing to improve his own” pg. 244
“Democratic freedom does not carry its undertakings through as perfectly as an intelligent despotism would; it often abandons them before it has reaped the profit, or embarks on perilous ones; but in the long run it produces more; each thing is less well done, but more things are done” pg 244
“Moliere criticized the court in plays acted before the courtiers. But the power which dominates in the United States does not understand being mocked like that. The least reproach offends it, and the slightest sting of truth turns it fierce; and one must praise everything, from the turn of its phrases to its most robust virtues. No writer, no matter how famous, can escape from this obligation to sprinkle incense over his fellow citizens. Hence the majority lives in a state of perpetual self adoration” pg 256

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