"We approach people the same way we approach our cars. We take the poor kid to a doctor and ask, What's wrong with him, how much will it cost, and when can I pick him up?"

This quote by James Hillman is a commentary on how we typically treat individuals as if they are things. We approach individuals with the exact same attitude we have when we take our automobiles to the mechanic. We need to know what is wrong with them, how much it will cost to repair them, and when we can anticipate them to be all set. Hillman is recommending that we need to deal with individuals with more care and empathy, rather than viewing them as items that can be fixed and then discarded. He is encouraging us to take the time to comprehend the individual and their requirements, rather than just trying to fix them as quickly and cheaply as possible. Hillman's quote is a pointer that people are not objects, which we need to treat them with regard and kindness.