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It would seem as if the rulers of our time sought only to…

“It would seem as if the rulers of our time sought only to use men in order to make things great; I wish that they would try a little more to make great men; that they would set less value on the work and more upon the workman; that they would never forget that a nation cannot long remain strong…” quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
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“It would seem as if the rulers of our time sought only to use men in order to make things great; I wish that they would try a little more to make great men; that they would set less value on the work and more upon the workman; that they would never forget that a nation cannot long remain strong when every man belonging to it is individually weak; and that no form or combination of social polity has yet been devised to make an energetic people out of a community of pusillanimous and enfeebled citizens.”

Alexis de Tocqueville

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A strong nation needs empowered individuals, not just glorified institutions.

In simple terms: Great men need support, not just glorified.

Key Takeaway

Empower individuals, value work over hierarchy.

Themes

leadership society empowerment

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • community building
  • policy design
  • corporate culture

Key Concepts

social contract citizenry national strength

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies nurture strong individuals?
  • What policies best support both people and institutions?
A Different Perspective

Balancing individual empowerment with collective goals can be complex.

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