My Authors
Read all threads
Ran across this passage in Tocqueville today (written in the Age of Jackson) that reminded me of a certain someone. "The Americans in their intercourse with strangers appear impatient of the smallest censure and insatiable of praise..." 1/5
"The most slender eulogium is acceptable to them; the most exalted seldom contents them; they unceasingly harass you to extort praise, and if you resist their entreaties they fall to praising themselves..." 2/5
" It would seem as if, doubting their own merit, they wished to have it constantly exhibited before their eyes. Their vanity is not only greedy, but restless & jealous; it will grant nothing, whilst it demands everything, but is ready to beg & to quarrel at the same time..." 3/5
" If I say to an American that the country he lives in is a fine one, "Ay," he replies, "there is not its fellow in the world." If I applaud the freedom which its inhabitants enjoy, he answers, "Freedom is a fine thing, but few nations are worthy to enjoy it..." 4/5
"It is impossible to conceive a more troublesome or more garrulous patriotism; it wearies even those who are disposed to respect it." 5/5
For anyone inclined to go to the original. "He who must be quoted." Alexis de Tocqueville. gutenberg.org/files/816/816-…
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Enjoying this thread?

Keep Current with Seth Cotlar

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!