Accepted Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
“When an opinion has taken root in a democracy and established itself in the minds of the majority, it afterward persists by itself, needing no effort to maintain it since no one attacks it. “Those who at first rejected it as false come in the end to adopt it as accepted, and even those who still at the bottom of their hearts oppose it keep their views to themselves, taking great care to avoid a dangerous and futile contest.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835
A dominant opinion in a democracy becomes self‑reinforcing, persisting without active defense as people stop challenging it.
In simple terms: Popular ideas survive without being contested.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question prevailing beliefs.
Themes
democracy
public opinion
conformity
social inertia
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elections
- public debates
- media coverage
- policy making
- community meetings
Key Concepts
political theory
social psychology
groupthink
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs do you accept without scrutiny?
- How can you encourage healthy dissent?
A Different Perspective
Even without overt opposition, complacency can let false ideas dominate.
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
