I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.

The principle of equality does not destroy the imagination, but lowers its flight to the level of the earth.

The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.

Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions

Laws are always unstable unless they are founded on the manners of a nation; and manners are the only durable and resisting power in a people.

Nothing is more annoying in the ordinary intercourse of life than this irritable patriotism of the Americans. A foreigner will gladly agree to praise much in their country, but he would like to be allowed to criticize something, and that he is absolutely refused.

Because Roman civilization perished through barbarian invasions, we are perhaps too much inclined to think that that is the only way a civilization can die. If the lights that guide us ever go out, they will fade little by little, as if of their own accord.... We therefore should not console ourselves by thinking that the barbarians are still a long way off. Some peoples may let the torch be snatched from their hands, but others stamp it out themselves.