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About this quote

What does it mean?
People value the feeling of equality even if it means losing freedom.
In plain terms
People prefer being equally stuck rather than unequally free.
What can you take from it?
Equality can be prized over liberty.

Where it applies

  • social observation
  • political analysis
  • ethical debate

Putting it to work

  • public discourse
  • policy framing
  • cultural study

Questions to consider

  • What is worth more, freedom or fairness?
  • Why do people choose equality over liberty?

Another view

Some argue true freedom requires unequal opportunity.

More from Alexis de Tocqueville

  1. America is a country where they have freedom of speech but everyone says the same thing.

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  2. Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations... In democratic countries knowledge of how to combi…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. 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.

    Permalink to quote #24

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