"The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other"
- Alexis de Tocqueville
About this Quote
This quote by Alexis de Tocqueville talks to the deep connection in between faith and liberty in the American mindset. He suggests that the 2 principles are so intertwined in the American mind that it is difficult to consider one without the other. This is likely due to the reality that the United States was established on the principles of spiritual freedom and liberty. The Founding Fathers thought that these two concepts were necessary for a successful society, and this belief has been given through generations. This quote also speaks with the significance of religious beliefs in American culture, as it is seen as a foundation of freedom and liberty. Faith has been a major part of American life considering that the country's founding, and it continues to be a major part of the American identity today.
"What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface"