"The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly raises his eyes above him with anxiety. The Englishman lowers his beneath him with satisfaction"

This quote by Alexis de Tocqueville talks to the differences between the French and English people. He recommends that the French have a desire for autonomy and self-reliance, and do not wish to go through anybody else's authority. On the other hand, the English are content with having individuals below them, and take complete satisfaction in their superiority. The Frenchman is represented as being anxious and constantly looking up, as if searching for something, while the Englishman is content and looks down with complete satisfaction. This quote speaks with the different mindsets of the 2 countries, and how they view their place on the planet. It also recommends that the French are more ambitious and pursue more, while the English are content with their current scenario.