Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
From Alexis de Tocqueville
There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.
In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own.
A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it.
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.
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.
In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
He was as great as a man can be without morality.
When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
In other words, a democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it.
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