The most natural privilege of man, next to the right of acting for himself, is that of combining his exertions with those of his fellow-creatures, an… - Alexis de Tocqueville

Commerce is naturally adverse to all the violent passions; it loves to temporize, takes delight in compromise, and studiously avoids irritation. It is patient, insinuating, flexible, and never has recourse to extreme measures until obliged by the most absolute necessity. Commerce renders men independent of each other, gives them a lofty notion of their personal importance, leads them to seek to conduct their own affairs, and teaches how to conduct them well; it therefore prepares men for freedom, but preserves them from revolutions.

Evils which are patiently endured when they seem inevitable become intolerable once the idea of escape from them is suggested.

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.