"To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering"

This quote by Aldo Leopold is a suggestion to be mindful and thoughtful when tinkering with something. It recommends that prior to making any changes, it is essential to understand the existing elements and how they work together. This is the first step in smart tinkering. By making the effort to understand the existing parts and how they communicate, it is possible to make informed decisions about how to enhance the system. This quote encourages us to take an action back and consider the implications of our playing prior to making any modifications. It is a suggestion to be thoughtful and to take the time to comprehend the existing elements prior to making any modifications. By doing so, we can ensure that our tinkering is smart and that we are not making any unnecessary changes that might have a negative impact on the system.