‘Sometimes,’ said De Tocqueville, ’I reflect on the difference which may be discerned between the amount of what a man can effect by even the most strenuous and well-directed efforts, whether as a public servant or as a leading man in political life, and what a writer of impressive books has it in his power to effect.  It is true that a man of talent and courage may acquire a creditable position, may exercise great influence over other individuals engaged in the same career, and may enjoy a certain measure of triumphant success in cases where he can put out his strength.  At the same time it strikes me that the best of these exaggerates immensely the amount of good which he has been able to effect.  I look back upon prodigiously vivid passages in various public men’s lives, in this century, with a melancholy reflection of how little influence their magnificent efforts have really exercised over the march of human affairs.  A man is apt to believe he has done great things when his hearers and contemporaries are strongly affected, either by a powerful speech, or an animated address, or an act of opportune courage, or the like.  But, if we investigate the positive amount of what the individual has effected in the way of bettering or advancing the general interests of mankind, by personal exertion on the public stage, I regret to say I can find hardly an instance of more than a transient, though beneficial, flash of excitement produced on the public mind.  I do not here speak of men invested with great power—­princes, prime ministers, popes, generals and the like.  Of course they produce lasting traces of their power, whether it be for good or evil; and, indeed, individuals have on their side considerable power to work mischief, though not often to work good.  I begin to think that a man not invested with a considerable amount of political power can do but little good by slaving at the oar of independent political action.  Now, on the contrary, what a vast effect a writer can produce, when he possesses the requisite knowledge and endowments!  In his cabinet, his thoughts collected, his ideas well arranged, he may hope to imprint indelible traces on the line of human progress.  What orator, what brilliant patriot at the tribune, could ever effect the extensive fermentation in a whole nation’s sentiments achieved by Voltaire and Jean Jacques?

’I have certainly seen reason to change some of my views on social facts, as well as some reasonings founded on imperfect observation.  But the fond of my opinions can never undergo a change—­certain irrevocable maxims and propositions must constitute the basis of thinking minds.  How such changes can come about as I have lived to see in some men’s states of opinion is to me incomprehensible.  Lafayette was foolish enough to give his support to certain conspiracies—­certainly to that of Befort’s, in Alsace.  What folly! to seek to upset a despotism by the agency of the soldiery, in the nineteenth century!’