It is very sad for a man to make himself servant to a single thing; his manhood all taken out of him by the hydraulic pressure of excessive business.

Summary

This quote implies that when a person becomes too consumed by a singular aspect of their life, such as work or excessive busyness, they lose their sense of autonomy and individuality. It suggests that surrendering oneself entirely to a single pursuit can diminish one's essential qualities and strengths. Hence, the quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced and multifaceted approach to life, in order to preserve one's manhood or sense of identity.