The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. -Alexis de Tocqueville

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In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them. -Alexis de Tocqueville

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The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public democratic assemblies. - Alexis de Tocqueville

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An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say 'Gentlemen' to the person with whom he is conversing. - Alexis de Tocqueville

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No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. - Alexis de Tocqueville

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History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies. -Alexis de Tocqueville

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Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. - Alexis de Tocqueville

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We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects. -Alexis de Tocqueville

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As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in? - Alexis de Tocqueville

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The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people. - Alexis de Tocqueville

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