Men cannot enjoy political liberty unpurchased by some sacrifices, and they never obtain it without great exertions.

But the pleasures of equality are self-proffered: each of the petty incidents of life seems to occasion them, and in order to taste them nothing is required but to live.
Democratic nations are at all times fond of equality, but there are certain epochs at which the passion they entertain for it swells to the height of fury.

This occurs at the moment when the old social system, long menaced, completes its own destruction after a last intestine struggle, and when the barriers of rank are at length thrown down.

At such times men pounce upon equality as their booty, and they cling to it as to some precious treasure which they fear to lose.

The passion for equality penetrates on every side into men's hearts, expands there, and fills them entirely.