Alexis de Tocqueville was popularly known as Tocqueville. He was a famous French diplomat of his time. Apart from being a French diplomat, he was also a great political scientist, political philosopher, and historian. He has two well-known works, and the people embrace these works. They are Democracy in America and The Old Regime and Revolution. He was a member of the Political Party and the Party of Order during 1839-1851. Tocqueville was very much interested in discussing the living standards and social conditions of individuals. Most of the Tocqueville quotes talk about American democracy and liberty.
Alexis de Tocqueville listed the five most important values responsible for America's success as the constitutional republic. These five values are Egalitarianism, liberty, populism, individualism and laissez-faire. Tocqueville explained democracy with the help of the Christian universe. He explained that Democracy is not just the government by the people or the self-government, while it is related to the comprehensive way of life. Tocqueville wants Equality in America, and in one of his visits, he saw that equality is the most striking concept of all the political parties and of the modern era in America. This made him believe that American Society is Egalitarian.
Below are some of the famous Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes.
Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
This quote means that when the people from outside America were thinking about them. Those people will always think that Americans are so enamoured with freedom that they would prefer inequality in economic servitude to life under equality directed policies.
Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.
Being free is the most beautiful thing in this world. It seems wonderful not to be controlled by any person, but knowing the importance of how to use freedom is the most difficult part. Many people or even countries enjoy freedom, but they do not know how to use their freedom positively.
Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.
Establishing liberty requires that the governed people have a moral code that supports freedom, equal rights, justice, and so forth. He also believes that moral code is found in religion which is accepted by faith.
There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.
This quote means that in America, both parties have the person with their personal beliefs, but there is no such party with a certain point of view. People can side with any party they want and still support issues that their party does not.
History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.
This quote means that different events and pictures are presented in history that are fully copied from another source. There is no exact depiction of the incident, an event that happened in the past times. Only the major incidents are reflected through the copied images or texts. Reality is not known to the people.
Continue reading some more Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes....
The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.
This quote means that in a democratic society, people choose their government, and in return, people want freedom from their government. When the people of the private sector, non-governmental organizations enjoy their freedom, it defines the betterment of the democratic society.
There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to begin a war and to end it.
Democratic people elect their leader and are free to choose their leader. This makes it very difficult for the people of the democratic society to begin the war against their own elected leader.
The most perilous moment for a bad government is one when it seeks to mend its ways.
This quote means when the bad government, i.e. not liked by the people, starts correcting their works. This ultimately leads to a risky or dangerous situation. Mending their ways doesn't work for the bad government.
Patriotism is most often nothing more but an extension of individual egoism
This quote means that the Love of one's own country is the result of an individual ego. When people love with blind eyes and with only looking at the positive things, it reflects a more egoistic nature rather than a love for something.
The more alike men are, the weaker each feels in the face of all.
This quote means that when all the people are the same, there is no category for being strong. They all are feeling weaker and have no competition in between all of them. Being different from the others creates competition and a strong character among all of them.
[Patriotism] is in itself a kind of religion: it does not reason, but it acts from the impulse of faith and sentiment.
This quote is full of truth. It means that religion is not asking about any kind of reason. Religion works on the faith and sentiments and binds the people together. This same works for patriotism. People bound their love for the country based on their sentiment, not on reason.
Few more Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes....
Under wage labor, the art advances, the artisan declines.
This quote means that division of labour is good but with certain limits. If the division of labour is imposed with strict rules, it will decline actual human labour. Human labour becomes weaker and narrow-minded. As a result, new menial tasks does not come into existence.
America is a land of wonders, in which everything is in constant motion and every change seems an improvement.
This quote means that Americans are continuously doing the best for their country. All the people engage in working for the betterment of their country. They engage in creating change for their country, and every step towards change results in an improvement.
In a democratic society, each citizen is habitually busy with the contemplation of a very petty object, which is himself.
This quote means that a democratic country is full of people who indulge themselves in the deep reflective thought of themselves. They are not involved in looking or reflecting on the other beautiful things that make more difference to society.
A nation cannot long remain strong when every man belonging to it is individually weak
This quote means that a strong nation needs individually strong citizens. Being strong in a group is not of much importance. Individual contribution is important for a strong nation.
When justice is more certain and milder, is at the same time more efficacious.
This quote means that when justice is fixed and not so harsh, it is also effective at the same time. Right justice defines the health of a democratic country or society. Every democratic country's citizens have the right to get justice.
Some more Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes...
Egotism fears its own self.
This quote means that ego is indirectly related to show people their importance, what they are exactly. But, in reality, it doesn't work. In contrast to it, egoism is related to the thinking that you are different from others. But, once we realize that we all are the same and share the same world with hopes, fears and dreams, it doesn't make any sense.
In politics... shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
This quote means that in American politics, when both parties show hatred towards each other, truth is something different behind it. These people have shared their friendship behind the face of hatred.
Life is to be entered upon with courage.
This quote means that we need to spend our life with the richness of values. Life is not about living with selfish behaviour or about not dreaming. But, life is simply about doing good to others and yourself with pure heart and mind.
When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
This quote means that your experience will always lead to brighten your future. If this is not in the same way, it ultimately shifts your life towards the darker phase. Your future is always determined by your past. Reduce the darkness of your future by doing work in your present.
