Alexis De Tocqueville

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The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public democratic assemblies.
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Alexis De Tocqueville Quotes

There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to begin a war and to end it.
No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.
All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.
The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.
The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.
The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.
The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.
We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.
In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.

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