All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- War is the quickest way to destroy the freedoms of a democracy.
- In plain terms
- War quickly removes democratic liberties.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect peace to safeguard freedom.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What safeguards can prevent war from eroding freedoms?
- Can liberty survive prolonged conflict?
Another view
Not all wars are intended to suppress liberty; some are defensive.
More from Alexis de Tocqueville
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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Permalink to quote #25 General ideas are no proof of the strength, but rather of the insufficiency of the human intellect.
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