Quote by Marquis De Custine
A multitude of little superfluous precautions engender here a population of deputies and sub-officials, each of whom acquits himself with an air of importance and a rigorous precision, which seemed to say, though everything is done with much silence, Make way, I am one of the members of the grand machine of state.
Summary
This quote points out how excessive precautions and bureaucracy can lead to the creation of a large number of unnecessary government officials. These officials perform their duties with an air of self-importance and strict adherence to protocol. Despite the quietness with which everything is carried out, there is an underlying message that they consider themselves vital cogs in the state's grand machinery, demanding recognition and respect. The quote highlights the potential pitfalls of excessive bureaucracy, emphasizing the tendency to prioritize formalities and individual roles over effectively serving the people.