America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great

America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great

The quote "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great" is often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, a French political thinker and historian who visited the United States in the early 19th century. Tocqueville's observations of American society and politics were recorded in his seminal work, "Democracy in America," which remains a classic text on the American political system.

Tocqueville's quote speaks to the idea that the greatness of America is rooted in its moral character and values. He believed that the strength of American democracy lay in the virtue and integrity of its citizens. Tocqueville saw America as a unique experiment in self-government, where individuals were free to pursue their own interests while also contributing to the common good. He believed that the success of American democracy depended on the moral fiber of its people.

Tocqueville's observations of American society highlighted the importance of civic virtue, community engagement, and a sense of shared responsibility. He noted the strong spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy in America, as well as the emphasis on education and self-improvement. Tocqueville saw these qualities as essential to the success of American democracy, and he warned that if America were to lose its moral compass, it would also lose its greatness.