Alexis de Tocqueville

For some thoughtful, provocative thinking on this summertime Thursday, I want to bring to your attention some misinformation.

Here's a quote I copied from Caleb Hayden's blog. He was writing about Vision Forum's Quadracentennial Celebration at Jamestown and one of the speakers used it. It is a misquote. De Tocqueville never said this.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers — and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests — and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce — and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution — and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteous­ness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

Here's a link to an article which explains the fraud.

Often we quote others and post verses. I always like to leave the reference. And so, in this case, I leave you with a real quote from Democracy in America, Book 2 Chpt 12, by Alexis de Tocqueville.

If I were asked.......to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people (the Americans) ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women.

If you don't own Democracy in America, look for it in Bartlett's Quotations under Tocqueville.