In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority

Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, whilst thousands of great cattle, reposed beneath the shadow of the British oak, chew the cud and are silent, pray do not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field.

Of course, the aim of a constitutional democracy is to safeguard the rights of the minority and avoid the tyranny of the majority. (p. 102)

A perfect democracy is therefore the most shameless thing in the world.

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority