Aristocracy naturally leads the human mind to the contemplation of the past, and fixes it there. Democracy, on the contrary, gives men a sort of instinctive distaste for what is ancient. In this respect aristocracy is far more favorable to poetry; for things commonly grow larger and more obscure as they are more remote; and, for this two-fold reason, they are better suited to the delineation of the ideal.Alexis De Tocqueville
About This Quote
The ancient past is no longer living, whereas the present is always fresh. Thus, the imagination of the poet is more active in tracing the evils of the ancient past, which are now dead and gone, than in picturing the evils of the present, which are still alive. Aristocracy, on the other hand, leads us to contemplate with delight what is ancient, as it encourages us to admire old things.
Source: Democracy In America
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