The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates how deeply intertwined religion and freedom are in American thought, making it hard to separate the two concepts.
Alexis De Tocqueville observes that for Americans, religion and liberty are not just connected but are seen as fundamentally linked aspects of their identity. This intertwining creates a viewpoint where the idea of freedom is inextricably associated with religious beliefs, suggesting that the exercise of personal liberties is often influenced by spiritual values.
Themes
ReligionLibertyFreedomBeliefIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of civil liberties, one might quote Tocqueville to emphasize how American values are shaped by both faith and freedom.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes βDemocratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
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