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Alexis de Tocqueville
(29 Jun 1805 - 16 Apr 1859)
French diplomat.
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Science Quotes by Alexis de Tocqueville (7 quotes)
In aristocratic ages, science is more particularly called upon to furnish gratification to the mind; in democracies, to the body.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 46.
In the present age the human mind must be coerced into theoretical studies; it runs of
its own accord to practical applications.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 48.
It must be acknowledged that amongst few of the civilized nations of our time have the higher sciences made less progress than in the United States; and in few have great artists, fine poets, or celebrated writers been more rare.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 36.
Progress cannot long be made in the application of the sciences without cultivating the theory of them.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 37.
Speculative genius should from time to time arise, inflamed by the love of truth alone. Such a one, we may be sure, would dive into the deepest mysteries of nature, whatever be the spirit of his country or his age.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 47.
The Americans are a very old and a very enlightened people, who have fallen on a new and unbounded country, where they may extend themselves at pleasure, and which they may fertilize without difficulty. This state of things is without parallel in the history of the world.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 36.
The mind may, as it appears to me, divide science into three parts. The first comprises the most theoretical principles, and those more abstract notions whose application is either unknown or very remote. The second is composed of those general truths which still belong to pure theory, but lead, nevertheless, by a straight and short road to practical results. Methods of application and means of execution make up the third. Each of these different portions of science may be separately cultivated, although reason and experience show that none of them can prosper long, if it be absolutely cut off from the two others.
— Alexis de Tocqueville
In Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve (trans.), Democracy in America (1840, 1899), Vol. 2, 42-43.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
