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

Alexis de Tocqueville Quote

“Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.”

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville
~ Alexis de Tocqueville


Ratings and Comments


Logan, Memphis, TN

bravo!

warren, olathe

Not all of us. Just the socialists.

J Carlton, Calgary

Rights and civil liberties are all that should be equal, the rest needs to be earned.

Joe, North Caldwell, NJ

Straw man argument. Who decided that was our choice? I think most of us would rather be equal in freedom, don't you?

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Joe, North Caldwell, NJ 11/27/23

Joe, NO!    One of the latest examples of a huge NO! is the growth in numbers and intensity of the theocratic Woke. By way of a very terse list demonstrating that most people would rather be shackled equally is the hard core acceptance of ANTI-freedom's compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licenses, larceny with impunity (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, police state confiscations, funny money, etc.), socialism, a choice for human sacrifice / a choice against individual sovereignty and a NON recognition of inalienable rights and nature's law.

RobertSRQ
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RobertSRQ    11/21/07

I love that.... Warren's only joking

Jack, Green, OH

I am not interested in slavery under ANY circumstances -- not even if everyone else were equally enslaved. I can't speak for ALL Americans, but none of the ones I know would be either..

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Jack, Green, OH 11/27/23

Jack, I say hmmm. Most everything you write says you prefer the slavery of socialism, as is averse to the animating contest of freedom. I guess it is all in how you define freedom and equal.

victor, oliver springs

i think freedom is worth dieing for, there fore give me liberty or give me death, www.ronpaul2008.com

immigrant (legal), Des Moines

On the money when it comes to th public school system.

warren, olathe

Socialism will give us equality in slavery. All except the rulers of course.

L. Wall, Anaheim Hills

those who do not like this quote, do NOT understand it. Hear! Hear!

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Mike, Norwalk 11/27/23

The once desired "republican form of government" (Article IV, Section 4, U.S. Constitution) exists no more. An occupying statist theocracy has replaced the land of the free and home of the brave. All are no longer individual sovereigns but rather, equal chattel under the carnal god's ANTI-nature's law canons.

Liberty is; “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control.  The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons.  Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st ed.). Clarifying original fact, nature’s law intent, and de jure jurisprudence: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” (Thomas Jefferson) “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule.” (John Locke - second most quoted source for creation of the Constitution) “Personal liberty, or the Right to enjoyment of life and liberty, is one of the fundamental or natural Rights, which has been protected by its inclusion as a guarantee in the various constitutions, which is not derived from, or dependent on, the U.S. Constitution, which may not be submitted to a vote and may not depend on the outcome of an election. It is one of the most sacred and valuable Rights, as sacred as the Right to private property ⋯ and is regarded as inalienable.” (16 C.J.S., Constitutional Law, Sect.202, p.987). Liberty, under “the laws of nature and of nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence) – nature’s law, is the state of exercising all inalienable rights. “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.” (George Mason) “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:12) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:16)

FREEDOM is: “The state of being free; liberty; self determination:” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st Edition); freedom is: “the power or liberty to order one's own actions” (Colins English Dictionary); freedom is: “The ability to act at liberty.” (Webster’s Dictionary) “All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man; being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” (John Locke) “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt) “Freedom is independence of the compulsory will of another, and in so far as it tends to exist with the freedom of all according to a universal law, it is the one sole original inborn right belonging to every man in virtue of his humanity.” (Immanuel Kant) Freedom is an endowed expression from an inherent creation; NOT ! an abstract ethos based / outside-in to-be-controlled anomaly.

Ronw13, ID

An individuals responsibility to the liberty one is set at, opens the world of opportunities to climb the ladder of whichever one desires. Economic, physical, and spiritual liberties assure the world of possibilities. A lazy mind and body are sure to fail and clamor for equality by way of a third party (government) to assure that individual his/her wish to remain lazy, a ward of the state. A slave. 

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