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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on how the value of items can diminish when they become widely accessible, contrasting quality with abundance.
This quote by Alexis De Tocqueville highlights the relationship between wealth and the quality of possessions, particularly watches in this context. It suggests that when watches were exclusive to the wealthy, they were of high quality, but as they became common ownership for everyone, the overall quality declined, emphasizing how mass availability can lead to a devaluation of craftsmanship and uniqueness.
Themes
WealthQualityWatchesAccessibilityValue
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about consumerism, one might say, 'As De Tocqueville noted, when everyone has access to a product, its intrinsic value often decreases.'
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Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
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