Nearly all the Escapists in the long past have managed their own budget and their social relations so unsuccessfully that I wouldn't want them for my landlords, or my bankers, or my neighbors. They were valuable, like powerful stimulants, only when they were left out of the social and industrial routine.

Summary

This quote suggests that individuals who constantly avoid or escape from their responsibilities tend to be inept in managing their personal finances and social connections. The speaker expresses reluctance to have such people as landlords, bankers, or neighbors, implying that their lack of reliability and competence make them undesirable in these roles. The quote also suggests that these escapists may only serve a purpose or be valued as a form of excitement or novelty when they are excluded from the usual activities and routines of society.

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