Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville was a French political thinker and historian. His most notable work is Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution. He analysed the living conditions and socio-economic policies of America. He was also active in the French politics.
Tocqueville came from an old Norman aristocratic family. Tocqueville had a tough and sickly childhood. Despite that, he chose to follow politics and became quite successful at it. A longtime sufferer from bouts of tuberculosis, Tocqueville eventually succumbed to the disease on 16 April 1859.
1 History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies. -Alexis de Tocqueville
The truly great people in our history are the originals. And the rest are just copycats of them.
2 The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. -Alexis de Tocqueville
In a truly successful society, the common people have the liberty to live life the way they want. But even then, the people perform their duties and contribute to the betterment of society.
3 When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness. -Alexis de Tocqueville
The past has to lead you into the future. You need to learn from your past and let that help you into the future. And without the lessons from the past, you cannot walk into the future.
4 In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Politics is an institution that thrives on hate. The politicians come together not on the basis of a shared vision of love but that of hatred and prejudice. It is bigotry and hatred that unites them.
5 Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Freedom without limits is dangerous. Morality and ethics need to govern the extent of freedom. And morality is absent without faith.
6 What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but that great fortunes should not remain in the same hands. Alexis de Tocqueville
Equality and right to basic freedom are the most important parts of democracy. And such equality cannot be achieved if wealth is in the hands of few. The abolishing of such a classist society is the true victory of democracy.
7 Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Unless you can appreciate and love others unconditionally you can never truly be at peace with yourself. One who harbours hate within, will succumb to its overwhelming negativity and never get the best out of himself.
8 Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Equality is the basic foundation of a democratic society. And the equal distribution of wealth is the first step towards it. A free press to help maintain order and protect the right to information of the people.
9 No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. -Alexis de Tocqueville
No amount of war can endanger the liberties of the people in a truly democratic country. Democracy survives because it is the best option the people have.
10 There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. -Alexis de Tocqueville
There are always good men on both sides. But having just a few good men does not make either side good. Both the sides, the right and the left, are equally rotten.
11 In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Almost every revolution in history has turned bloody. A good end to a great revolution is almost impossible to achieve. There’ll always be casualties.
12 The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people. -Alexis de Tocqueville
The press may have the power to influence the people with their propaganda. But, the final power resides within the people. It is they who decide the course of history by choosing what to believe.
13 Life is to be entered upon with courage. -Alexis de Tocqueville
You need courage and strength to really live life. You can either decide to be a coward and give up or muster up courage and face whatever life throws at you.
14 There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it. -Alexis de Tocqueville
War is never a part of any rational democratic society. But once started, there is no end to it. War seems to take on a life of its own and it is just as difficult, if not more, to end a war than to stop it.
15 He was as great as a man can be without morality. -Alexis de Tocqueville
Men without morality are just rotten. They have little to no regard for the rules and can stoop as low as they can to get things their way.
15 Must-Read Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes on Freedom & Slavery
1. History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies. -Alexis de Tocqueville
2. The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. -Alexis de Tocqueville
3. When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness. -Alexis de Tocqueville
4. In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships. -Alexis de Tocqueville
5. Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. -Alexis de Tocqueville
6. What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but that great fortunes should not remain in the same hands. Alexis de Tocqueville
7. Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves. -Alexis de Tocqueville
8. Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic. -Alexis de Tocqueville
9. No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. -Alexis de Tocqueville
10. There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. -Alexis de Tocqueville
11. In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end. -Alexis de Tocqueville
12. The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people. -Alexis de Tocqueville
13. Life is to be entered upon with courage. -Alexis de Tocqueville
14. There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it. -Alexis de Tocqueville
15. He was as great as a man can be without morality. -Alexis de Tocqueville
