Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and moral courage which it contained.

Summary

This quote suggests that eccentricity, or unconventional behavior and ideas, tends to be present in societies where there is a high prevalence of strong character traits. It argues that the level of eccentricity in a society is often proportional to the amount of genius, intellectual vitality, and moral bravery it possesses. In other words, societies with a greater number of individuals who think outside the box, possess exceptional mental abilities, and display moral courage are more likely to exhibit eccentricity. It implies that unconventional thinking and behavior are often indicators of exceptional qualities in individuals.