If an American was condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence.
Alexis de TocquevilleIt must not be forgotten that it is especially dangerous to enslave men in the minor details of life.
Alexis de TocquevilleThe best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always bringing me back. It is the central point in my conception. I see it at the end of all my reflections.
Alexis de TocquevilleTown meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people's reach.
Alexis de TocquevilleThe first who attracts the eye, the first in enlightenment, in power and in happiness, is the white man, the European, man par excellence; below him appear the Negro and the Indian. These two unfortunate races have neither birth, nor face, nor language, nor mores in common; only their misfortunes look alike. Both occupy an equally inferior position in the country that they inhabit; both experience the effects of tyranny; and if their miseries are different, they can accuse the same author for them.
Alexis de Tocqueville