Autocracies may survive for intermittent periods with populations of “yes men” but democracies need a perennially renewed supply of “know men.”

Many Americans cannot define democracy; like the schoolboy when asked to define an elephant confessed he was unable to do so, but insisted he would recognize an elephant when he saw one.

The real danger of democracy is, that the classes which have the power under it will assume all the rights and reject all the duties – that is, that they will use the political power to plunder those-who-have.

Each generation must win democracy for itself. Many young persons wish they might have lived in the historic and courageous time of George Washington, for example, when there were victories to be made and real history written. On the contrary, there are just as big problems today, and every opportunity for development.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of a democratic period is the taste that all men have for easy success and present enjoyment. This occurs in the pursuits of the intellect as well as in others.

Two cheers for democracy, one because it admits variety and two because it permits criticism. Two cheers are quite enough: There is no occasion to give three.

In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but its effects.

The only thing wrong with democratic process is the failure to use it.

Democracy is ever eager for rapid progress, and the only progress which can be rapid is progress downhill.

Democracy is threatened by the inertia of good people, by the selfishness of most people, and by the evil designs of a few people.