"It contributes greatly towards a man's moral and intellectual health, to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits, and whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate"

This quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne speaks to the significance of surrounding oneself with people who are various from oneself. Hawthorne recommends that it is beneficial to one's moral and intellectual health to be exposed to people who have different interests and abilities than oneself. By doing so, one must head out of their convenience zone and appreciate the talents and viewpoints of others. This can help to broaden one's own understanding of the world and can result in individual development. Additionally, it can help to promote compassion and understanding of those who are different from oneself. Eventually, Hawthorne's quote encourages us to embrace variety and to acknowledge the worth of various perspectives.