In countries where associations are free, secret societies are unknown. In America there are factions, but no conspiracies.

The French under the old monarchy held it for a maxim that the king could do no wrong . The Americans entertain the same opinion with respect to the majority.... If ever the free institutions of America are destroyed, that event may be attributed to the omnipotence of the majority.

As I see it, only God can be all-powerful without danger, because his wisdom and justice are always equal to his power. Thus there is no authority on earth so inherently worthy of respect, or invested with a right so sacred, that I would want to let it act without oversight or rule without impediment (p. 290).

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

If an American was condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence.

At the head of any new undertaking where in France you would find the government, or in England some great lord, in the United States you are sure to find an association.

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.