All history shows how difficult it is for human beings to bear effectually in mind the objects for the nominal sake of which they are clothed with power and pomp; it shows the ease with which they employ their panoply to advance private and class interests.
Dewey reflects on the historical challenges of maintaining focus on public good amidst the distractions of power and privilege.
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In short, private acts may be socially valuable both by indirect consequences and by direct intention.
Mistakes pile up and consolidate themselves into laws and methods of administration which are more harmful than the consequences which they were originally intended to control.
They are reflections into the singular human being of customs and institutions; they are not natural, that is, “native,” organic propensities.
For the very familiarity with the phenomena conceals their significance and blinds us to their relation to immediate political problems.