The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Democratic 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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Democratic societies value freedom inherently, but they have an intense and unending desire for equality, even if it means seeking it in less than ideal conditions.
In this quote, Alexis De Tocqueville explores the dual desires of democratic communities for both freedom and equality. He argues that while individuals in such communities will naturally strive for freedom and feel regret when it is lacking, their yearning for equality is far more intense and relentless. This passion for equality often drives people to seek equality even in adverse situations, revealing a profound societal commitment to equal treatment and opportunities.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on civil rights, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of striving for both freedom and equality in a democratic society.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes →Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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.
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
When none but the wealthy had watches, they were almost all very good ones; few are now made which are worth much, but everybody has one in his pocket.
Similar quotes
I am Ubik. Before the universe was, I am. I made the suns. I made the worlds. I created the lives and the places they inhabit; I move them here, I put them there. They go as I say, then do as I tell them. I am the word and my name is never spoken, the name which no one knows. I am called Ubik, but that is not my name. I am. I shall always be.
Minds are not conquered by force, but by love and high-mindedness.
I hold it to be the most monstrous proposition ever uttered within the Senate that conquering a country like Mexico, the President can constitute himself a despotic ruler without the slightest limitation on his power. If all this be true, war is indeed dangerous!
The spread of online information isn't just good for charities. It's also good for donors. You can go to a site like Charity Navigator, which evaluates nonprofits on their financial health as well as the amount of information they share about their work.
Your mind makes out the orange by seeing it, hearing it, touching it, smelling it, tasting it and thinking about it but without this mind, you call it, the orange would not be seen or heard or smelled or tasted or even mentally noticed, it's actually, that orange, depending on your mind to exist! Don't you see that? By itself it's a no-thing, it's really mental, it's seen only of your mind. In other words it's empty and awake.
Since only what is material is perceptible, knowable, nothing is known of the existence of God.