the virtuous particulars

"Just to give you a general idea," he would explain to them. For of course some sort of general idea they must have, if they were to do their work intelligently, though as little of one, if they were to be good and happy members of society as possible. For particulars, as every one knows, make virtue and happiness; generalities are intellectually necessary evils. Not philosophers, but fretsawyers and stamp collectors compose the backbone of society. ~Brave New World, Aldous Huxley