"So there's always been this clash between what is the public good - that which belongs to all of us in common - and what can be exploited for a private interest"

This quote by Neil Abercrombie talks to the stress between public and personal interests. It suggests that there is a basic clash in between what is advantageous for the general public, or the collective, and what can be used for the advantage of a single person or group. This stress is often seen in arguments over public policy, where the general public excellent is pitted versus private interests. For example, when choosing whether to build a brand-new highway, the general public good of improved transportation must be weighed against the personal interests of those who would gain from the building. This quote highlights the value of striking a balance between public and personal interests in order to guarantee that the cumulative excellent is not sacrificed for the advantage of a few.