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
Every nation that has ended in tyranny has come to that end by way of good order. It certainly does not follow from this that peoples should scorn public peace, but neither should they be satisfied with that and nothing more. A nation that asks nothing of government but the maintenance of order is already a slave in the depths of its heart; it is a slave of its well-being, ready for the man who will put it in chains.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Tyranny often arises in societies that prioritize order over liberty, suggesting that complacency can lead to oppression.
Alexis De Tocqueville warns that when a nation becomes overly focused on maintaining order and does not demand more from its government, it risks descending into tyranny. The quote emphasizes that mere public peace is inadequate; citizens should seek active participation and accountability from their leaders to prevent oppression and ensure true freedom.
Themes
TyrannyOrderFreedomParticipationOppression
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on government responsibility, this quote can highlight the importance of civic engagement.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes →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.
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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