"He who stands aloof runs the risk of believing himself better than others and misusing his critique of society as an ideology for his private interest"

Theodor Adorno's quote is a caution against the dangers of arrogance and self-importance. He warns against the tendency to see oneself as superior to others and to utilize one's critique of society as a way to even more one's own interests. Adorno is suggesting that by standing aloof from society, one runs the risk of ending up being detached from the reality of the world and of utilizing one's critique of society as a tool to even more one's own program. He is cautioning versus the dangers of becoming too narcissistic and of using one's review of society as a way to get power or impact. Adorno's quote is a tip to remain simple and to use one's critique of society to benefit the greater good, instead of to further one's own interests.