Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all for fear of being carried off their feet. The prospect really does frighten me that they may finally become so engrossed in a cowardly love of immediate pleasures that their interest in their own future and in that of their descendants may vanish, and that they will prefer tamely to follow the course of their destiny rather than make a sudden energetic effort necessary to set things right.
Summary
This quote, attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, expresses the author's fear that individuals may become resistant to change and progress out of a fear of the unknown. He worries that society may reach a point where any new idea or advance is seen as a threat, causing people to become complacent and unwilling to take risks. Ultimately, de Tocqueville fears that individuals may prioritize short-term pleasures over planning for the future, leading them to passively accept their destiny rather than actively working towards positive change.
Topics
Apathy
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