Believe Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
“Democracy encourages a taste for physical gratification; this taste, if it becomes excessive, soon disposes men to believe that all is matter only; and materialism, in its turn, hurries them on with mad impatience to these same delights; such is the fatal circle within which democratic nations are driven round. It were well that they should see the danger and hold back.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835
Democracy can foster a craving for material pleasures, leading to a belief that only matter matters, creating a self‑reinforcing cycle of materialism and impatience.
In simple terms: Democracy may cause materialism and impatience.
Key Takeaway
Beware materialism and seek deeper values.
Themes
democracy
materialism
human nature
societal cycles
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education
- personal development
- public policy
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does materialism affect civic responsibility?
- What non‑material values can counterbalance this tendency?
A Different Perspective
Excessive focus on material gain can ignore spiritual or communal needs.
