Men seldom take the opinion of their equal, or of a man like themselves, upon trust.

Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.

Whatever may be the general endeavor of a community to render its members equal and alike, the personal pride of individuals will always seek to rise above the line, and to form somewhere an inequality to their own advantage.

Every central government worships uniformity: uniformity relieves it from inquiry into an infinity of details, which must be attended to if rules have to be adapted to different men, instead of indiscriminately subjecting all men to the same rule.

Amongst democratic nations, each new generation is a new people.

The principle of equality does not destroy the imagination, but lowers its flight to the level of the earth.

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.

Democratic nations care but little for what has been, but they are haunted by visions of what will be.

When the people rule, they must be rendered happy, or they will overturn the state.

Democratic institutions generally give men a lofty notion of their country and themselves.