--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is almost never when a state of things…" description: "\"It is almost never when a state of things is the most detestable that it is smashed, but when, beginning to improve, it permits men to breathe, to refl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b6/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_breathe_it-is-almost-never-when-a-state-of-thing_1019180.jpg" --- # It is almost never when a state of things is the most… ![“It is almost never when a state of things is the most detestable that it is smashed, but when, beginning to improve, it permits men to breathe, to reflect, to communicate their thoughts with each other, and to gauge by what they already have the extent of their rights and their grievances. The…” quote by Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b6/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_breathe_it-is-almost-never-when-a-state-of-thing_1019180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b6/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_breathe_it-is-almost-never-when-a-state-of-thing_1019180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b6/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_breathe_it-is-almost-never-when-a-state-of-thing_1019180.jpg) > “It is almost never when a state of things is the most detestable that it is smashed, but when, beginning to improve, it permits men to breathe, to reflect, to communicate their thoughts with each other, and to gauge by what they already have the extent of their rights and their grievances. The weight, although less heavy, seems then all the more unbearable.” [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. When society improves, people become more aware of their rights and grievances, making the weight of oppression feel heavier. **In simple terms:** Improvement reveals oppression. Key Takeaway Recognize and address hidden injustices. Themes freedom rights awareness oppression societal change Mood reflective concerned motivated Type philosophical political When to use this quote - activism - policy reform - public discourse - education - community organizing Key Concepts social contract political theory human rights Questions to Reflect On - How does increased awareness change your view of justice? - What responsibilities come with greater freedom? A Different Perspective Even progress can increase perceived suffering if expectations rise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe/) [Communicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicate/) [Gauges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gauges/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Grievance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grievance/) [Grievances Weight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grievances-weight-2261851/) [Heavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-breathe-870511/) [Permit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permit/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Rights Grievances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-grievances-2261853/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Things Detestable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-detestable-2261852/) [Thoughts Gauge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-gauge-2261854/) [Unbearable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbearable/) [Weight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weight/) ## Related quotes > [So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/so-long-as-men-can-breathe-or-eyes-can-see-so-long-lives-this-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I early became conscious that men breathe more audibly than women. 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