Conservatism Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
“I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.”
About This Quote
Fear of new ideas can cause societies to stagnate and resist progress.
In simple terms: Fear of innovation can halt social advancement.
Encourage openness to new theories while assessing risks.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- academic debate
- technology adoption
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance caution with curiosity?
- What mechanisms protect against harmful innovations?
Excessive caution may prevent beneficial breakthroughs.