Quote by George Santayana, The Crime of G
The working of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self interest, carelessness, and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought.
Summary
This quote suggests that the functioning of large institutions is primarily driven by mundane tasks, personal agendas, negligence, and errors, rather than careful deliberation or thoughtful decision-making. The quote implies that the majority of an institution's operations are determined by routine processes and individual motivations, leaving only a small portion to be guided by actual reasoning or intentionality. In essence, it highlights the potential shortcomings and flaws within bureaucratic systems where institutional behavior is influenced by a combination of routine procedures and human fallibility.