"What is called good society is usually nothing but a mosaic of polished caricatures"

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel's quote speaks with the idea that what is often considered to be "excellent society" is often absolutely nothing more than a collection of people who have actually been polished and refined to fit a certain mold. This quote suggests that these individuals are not real, but rather caricatures of what is anticipated of them. They have actually been shaped and formed to suit a particular idea of what is socially acceptable, and they lack any genuine uniqueness or personality. This quote suggests that these individuals are not truly living their own lives, but rather are living a life that has actually been predetermined for them by society. It is a suggestion that we ought to aim to be our own special selves, and not hesitate to express our real characters. We need to not be afraid to be various, and to stand apart from the crowd. We should not hesitate to be ourselves, and to be happy with who we are.