Alexis de Tocqueville Quotes

It is easier to run a revolution than a government.

History, indeed, records some very radical changes in the forms of government to which a state has been subjected without its interests being absolutely and permanently shipwrecked.

Change very often comes to Washington, not from Washington.

The regime which is destroyed by a revolution is almost always an improvement on its immediate predecessor, and experience teaches that the most critical moment for bad governments is the one which witnesses their first steps toward reform.

We know the only way to reimagine our government is to reimagine who is leading it.

Revolution is indeed a violent process. But if it is to result only in a change of dictatorship, in a shifting of names and political personalities, then it is hardly worth while.

There is no more democratic government than a revolutionary government.

Only I can turn this country around.

We have been waiting for you so that we could turn over the government.

Rulers come and go; governments end and forms of government change; but sovereignty survives.

The people who own the country are now going to get to run it.

Those who govern us know it well, for they would sooner deny us bread than dare alter the observance of tradition.

Change: In politics, the substitution of one disappointment for another.

These wars and mass murders that the horrible Kaisers and kings with their authorities have been the source of, have in general been started to solidify their staggering thrones, or to suppress the people.

Any plan of reconstruction is wrong that tends to leave these old leaders in power.

We absolutely have to change the status quo in Washington.

The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.

There will be no end to the troubles of states,Or of humanity itself,Till philosophers become kings in this world,Or till those we now call kings and rulers really And truly become philosophers

I did not set out to be beloved and just, only strong." 'A King can be better than that," the Prince insisted. "And so we all begin, determined to better our fathers' performances, knowing we can change the very nature of humanity, make it better, cleaner. But then daggers strike in the night, and peasants revolt, and all manner of atrocities become a necessity as breakfast. Only Princes believe in the greater good. Kings know there is only Reign, and all things may be committed in its holy name.

Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object

Let us drive away those cruel, greedy oppressors, governments, and the new ones, having just laid aside grenades and rifles, will be just and understanding. Far from it.

Just remember, what the French say. No, probably not the French, they've got a president or something. The Brits, maybe, or the Swedes. You know what I mean?" "No, Matthew. What do they say?" "The king is dead, that's what they say. The king is dead. Long live the king.

Every ruler is harsh whose laws is new.

The problem with leaderless uprisings taking over is that you don't always know what you get at the other end. If you are not careful you could replace a bad government with one much worse!

It is not good to have a rule of many.