"My esoteric doctrine, is that if you entertain any doubt, it is safest to take the unpopular side in the first instance. Transit from the unpopular, is easy... but from the popular to the unpopular is so steep and rugged that it is impossible to maintain it"

Lord Melbourne's quote is a suggestion to believe for oneself and to not be swayed by popular viewpoint. He suggests that it is much easier to transition from an out of favor opinion to a popular one than it is to shift from a popular opinion to an undesirable one. This is since the path from popular to undesirable is "steep and rugged" and for that reason challenging to maintain. He encourages that if one is uncertain, it is best to take the unpopular side in the very first instance. This quote motivates independent thought and motivates individuals to think on their own and not be swayed by the opinions of others. It is a tip to consider all sides of an argument and to not hesitate to take the out of favor side if one believes it to be true. Lord Melbourne's quote is a reminder to believe for oneself and to not hesitate to take the undesirable side if one believes it to be true.