![]() ![]() Almost all extremes are softened or blunted: all that was most prominent is superseded by some mean term, at once less lofty and less low, less brilliant and less obscure, than what before existed in the world. If I endeavor to find out the most general and the most prominent of all these different characteristics, I shall have occasion to perceive, that what is taking place in men’s fortunes manifests itself under a thousand other forms. The ties of race, of rank, and of country are relaxed the great bond of humanity is strengthened. There is less perfection, but more abundance, in all the productions of the arts. The human mind is impelled by the small efforts of all mankind combined together, not by the strenuous activity of certain men. Neither men of great learning, nor extremely ignorant communities, are to be met with genius becomes more rare, information more diffused. ![]() Few pleasures are either very refined or very coarse and highly polished manners are as uncommon as great brutality of tastes. Human existence becomes longer, and property more secure: life is not adorned with brilliant trophies, but it is extremely easy and tranquil. If there be few instances of exalted heroism or of virtues of the highest, brightest, and purest temper, men’s habits are regular, violence is rare, and cruelty almost unknown. There is little energy of character but manners are mild, and laws humane. Each individual stands apart in solitary weakness but society at large is active, provident, and powerful: the performances of private persons are insignificant, those of the State immense. The sentiment of ambition is universal, but the scope of ambition is seldom vast. The good things and the evils of life are more equally distributed in the world: great wealth tends to disappear, the number of small fortunes to increase desires and gratifications are multiplied, but extraordinary prosperity and irremediable penury are alike unknown. Nevertheless, in the midst of a prospect so wide, so novel and so confused, some of the more prominent characteristics may already be discerned and pointed out. I go back from age to age up to the remotest antiquity but I find no parallel to what is occurring before my eyes: as the past has ceased to throw its light upon the future, the mind of man wanders in obscurity. Although the revolution which is taking place in the social condition, the laws, the opinions, and the feelings of men, is still very far from being terminated, yet its results already admit of no comparison with anything that the world has ever before witnessed. The world which is rising into existence is still half encumbered by the remains of the world which is waning into decay and amidst the vast perplexity of human affairs, none can say how much of ancient institutions and former manners will remain, or how much will completely disappear. Time has not yet shaped it into perfect form: the great revolution by which it has been created is not yet over: and amidst the occurrences of our time, it is almost impossible to discern what will pass away with the revolution itself, and what will survive its close. The society of the modern world which I have sought to delineate, and which I seek to judge, has but just come into existence. Democracy In America Alexis De Tocquevilleĭemocracy In America Alexis De Tocqueville Book Four – Chapter VIII Chapter VIII: General Survey Of The Subjectīefore I close forever the theme that has detained me so long, I would fain take a parting survey of all the various characteristics of modern society, and appreciate at last the general influence to be exercised by the principle of equality upon the fate of mankind but I am stopped by the difficulty of the task, and in presence of so great an object my sight is troubled, and my reason fails.
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