Quotes by Tocqueville, Alexis De

Nothing is quite so wretchedly corrupt as an aristocracy which has los >>

An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls in >>

The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to re >>

Quotations about Literature

By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the orde >>

Only the more rugged mortals should attempt to keep up with current li >>

Literature that is not the breath of contemporary society, that dares >>

By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill, and art characteristic of aristocratic literature; formal qualities will be neglected or actually despised. The style will often be strange, incorrect, overburdened, and loose, and almost always strong and bold. Writers will be more anxious to work quickly than to perfect details. Short works will be commoner than long books, wit than erudition, imagination than depth. There will be a rude and untutored vigor of thought with great variety and singular fecundity. Authors will strive to astonish more than to please, and to stir passions rather than to charm taste.

Tocqueville, Alexis De