Country Quotes by Alexis de Tocqueville

Democratic institutions generally give men a lofty notion of their country and themselves.

— Alexis de Tocqueville

No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.

— Alexis de Tocqueville

In countries where associations are free, secret societies are unknown. In America there are factions, but no conspiracies.

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Of all the countries of the world America is the one where the movement of thought and human industry is the most…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

America is a country where they have freedom of speech but everyone says the same thing.

— Alexis de Tocqueville

I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations...In democratic countries knowledge of how…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Nothing is more annoying in the ordinary intercourse of life than this irritable patriotism of the Americans. A foreigner will gladly agree…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

In democratic countries, however opulent a man is supposed to be, he is almost always discontented with his fortune, because he finds…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

In democratic countries as well as elsewhere most of the branches of productive industry are carried on at a small cost by…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

We can state with conviction, therefore, that a man's support for absolute government is in direct proportion to the contempt he feels…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

There is no country in the world in which everything can be provided for by the laws, or in which political institutions…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

I am far from denying that newspapers in democratic countries lead citizens to do very ill-considered things in common; but without newspapers…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

They all attributed the peaceful dominion of religion in their country mainly to the separation of church and state. I do not…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Religion in America . . . Must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions for that country; for if it…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

[T]he main evil of the present democratic institutions of the united states does not raise, as is often asserted in Europe, from…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Even despots accept the excellence of liberty. The simple truth is that they wish to keep it for themselves and promote the…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

I questioned the faithful of all communions; I particularly sought the society of clergymen, who are the depositories of the various creeds…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

The electors see their representative not only as a legislator for the state but also as the natural protector of local interests…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

The first who attracts the eye, the first in enlightenment, in power and in happiness, is the white man, the European, man…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

In the United States the sovereign authority is religious, and consequently hypocrisy must be common; but there is no country in the…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

I know of no other country where love of money has such a grip on men's hearts or where stronger scorn is…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

All revolutions more or less threaten the tenure of property: but most of those who live in democratic countries are possessed of…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

Countries, therefore, when lawmaking falls exclusively to the lot of the poor cannot hope for much economy in public expenditure; expenses will…

— Alexis de Tocqueville

In no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more alert than in the United States, and…

— Alexis de Tocqueville