The principle of equality, which makes men independent of each other, gives them a habit and a taste for following, in their private actions, no other guide but their own will. This complete independence, which they constantly enjoy towards their equals and in the intercourse of private life, tends to make them look upon all authority with a jealous eye, and speedily suggests to them the notion and the love of political freedom. Men living at such times have a natural bias to free institutions. Take any one of them at a venture, and search if you can his most deep-seated instincts; and you will find that, of all governments, he will soonest conceive and most highly value that government whose head he has himself elected, and whose administration he may control. .Alexis De Tocqueville
About This Quote
This quote by John Adams is a great example of how our natural instinct tends to be to become an independent person, and to not want to be controlled or manipulated. It’s a natural desire to want control over your own life and that you don’t need anyone else to control your life for you. However, sometimes we forget that we need each other in order to live a full life.
Source: Democracy In America
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