The Americans, on the contrary, are fond of explaining almost all the actions of their lives by the principle of interest rightly understood; they show with complacency how an enlightened regard for themselves constantly prompts them to assist each other, and inclines them willingly to sacrifice a portion of their time and property to the welfare of the state.

No men are less addicted to reverie than the citizens of a democracy.

The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.

The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary crisis, or a battle.

Comfort becomes a goal when distinctions of rank are abolished and privileges destroyed.

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.

You may be sure that if you succeed in bringing your audience into the presence of something that affects them, they will not care by what road you brought them there; and they will never reproach you for having excited their emotions in spite of dramatic rules.