Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes
Alexis de Tocqueville was a French aristocrat, political philosopher, and historian. After a long study tour of the United States, undertaken nominally to examine its prison system, he produced Democracy in America, a penetrating examination of the conditions, dangers, and promise of modern democratic society. The quotes below are attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, organized by topic.
Alexis de Tocqueville on Freedom
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in which we live I am ready to worship it.”
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot.”
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.”
Alexis de Tocqueville on Politics
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”
Alexis de Tocqueville on Time
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Attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.”