Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville, [Alexis Charles Henri Maurice Clerel, le Comte de Tocqueville] (1805-1859) French historian

Alexis de Tocqueville Quote

“If it be admitted that a man, possessing absolute power, may misuse that power by wronging his adversaries, why should a majority not be liable to the same reproach? Men are not apt to change their character by agglomeration; nor does their patience in the presence of obstacles increase with the consciousness of their strength. And for these reasons I can never willingly invest any number of my fellow creatures with that unlimited authority which I should refuse to any one of them.”

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville
~ Alexis de Tocqueville


Ratings and Comments


J Carlton, Calgary

And isn't that what the politics of the day has become? Smear campaigns and nothing but...reminds me of a bunch of spoiled children all pointing at each other saying he's worse than I am. The quote is also a good reference as to why Democracy is Mob Rule. Restore the Republic!

jim k, Austin, Tx

Agglomeration, to accumulate in a disorderly fashion, you know , sort of like the Occupy bunch.

E Archer, NYC

Absolutely! We should remember that the government is merely but a collection of other fellow humans with no more rights than the rest of us. What we have today is but a collection of mafia families each with their established turf while the rest of us pay tribute and protection money often referred to as taxes and insurance. Hogwash. They can and do print up all the money they need, but use it to 'secure' their domination and monopoly. The honorable, noble sovereign American ideal is chained down by the lust for power by those with whom We the People have entrusted our power. Once in office, they forget and think we have elected them to govern us instead of protect us against the encroachments of designing men.

E Archer, NYC

Power is ever at odds with Truth.  Knowledge is power.  Without the knowledge of what is true, power can be stolen from those being lied to.  Might believes it's right.  Create a belief in falsehood and people can be tricked into their own undoing.  It's never more apparent than today.  The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off... ;-)

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