John Dewey: “Skill and ability work within a framework which we have not created and do not comprehend.”

In short, private acts may be socially valuable both by indirect consequences and by direct intention.

They are reflections into the singular human being of customs and institutions; they are not natural, that is, “native,” organic propensities.

In other words, every officer of the public, whether he represents it as a voter or as a stated official, has a dual capacity.

The idea remains barren and empty save as it is incarnated in human relationships.