Quote by William O. Douglas
The privacy and dignity of our citizens are being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps. Taken individually, each step may be of little consequence. But when viewed as a whole, there begins to emerge a society quite unlike any we have seen -- a society in which government may intrude into the secret regions of a person's life.
Summary
This quote discusses the gradual erosion of citizens' privacy and dignity through seemingly insignificant actions. While each step may appear unimportant on its own, the quote suggests that when taken as a whole, these actions form a society where the government has the ability to invade a person's private life. It highlights the potential dangers of allowing these small intrusions, as it could lead to a society fundamentally different from what we are familiar with, where the state has greater access and control over its citizens' personal spheres.