Opinions are to the vast apparatus of social existence what oil is to machines: one does not go up to a turbine and pour machine oil over it; one applies a little to hidden spindles and joints that one has to know.

Summary

This quote highlights the role of opinions in shaping social dynamics. It suggests that opinions, like oil to machines, are not meant to be indiscriminately applied but carefully tailored to specific aspects of society. Just as machine oil is strategically applied to hidden parts, opinions should be applied to the intricate and nuanced aspects of social existence that require understanding and consideration. It implies that opinions should be informed, thoughtful, and targeted, rather than being blindly imposed on the entire social apparatus.

Topics