The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The Americans never use the word peasant, because they have no idea of the class which that term denotes; the ignorance of more remote ages, the simplicity of rural life, and the rusticity of the villager have not been preserved among them; and they are alike unacquainted with the virtues, the vices, the coarse habits, and the simple graces of an early stage of civilization.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on American society's detachment from the historical concept of class and rural life.
Alexis De Tocqueville highlights that Americans do not use the term 'peasant' because they lack an understanding of class distinctions rooted in historical and rural contexts. He argues that this ignorance signifies a break from the virtues and vices of early civilization, as the simplicity and rustic qualities of rural life are not part of their social experience, leading to a unique social structure devoid of traditional class awareness.
Themes
ClassSocietyIgnoranceRural LifeCivilization
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social classes and their evolution in America, this quote can be used to illustrate the lack of historical context regarding class.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes →Democratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery.
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Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
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