The ideal of brotherhood of man, the building of the Just City, is one that cannot be discarded without lifelong feelings of disappointment and loss. But, if we are to live in the real world, discard it we must. Its very nobility makes the results of its breakdown doubly horrifying, and it breaks down, as it always will, not by some external agency but because it cannot work.

Summary

This quote highlights the value of the concept of brotherhood and the creation of a just society. It suggests that abandoning this ideal leads to feelings of disappointment and regret. However, the quote also recognizes the need to face reality and acknowledges the inherent limitations of achieving a utopian society. While the breakdown of this ideal is seen as horrifying, it is believed to be an inevitable consequence of its impracticality rather than due to external influences.

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