Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
The ideas of Freud were popularized by people who only imperfectly understood them, who were incapable of the great effort required to grasp them in their relationship to larger truths, and who therefore assigned to them a prominence out of all proportion to their true importance.
Summary
This quote suggests that the ideas of Sigmund Freud became popularized by individuals who didn't fully comprehend or appreciate them. These individuals lacked the commitment to deeply understand Freud's ideas in the context of broader truths. Consequently, they exaggerated the significance of his ideas, giving them an undue prominence that surpassed their actual importance. In essence, the quote implies that Freud's ideas were often misunderstood and exaggerated by those who did not fully grasp their true value and implications.