...I have had such a sickening of men in masses, and of causes, that I would not cross this room to reform parliament or prevent the union or to bring about the millennium. I speak only for myself, mind - it is my own truth alone - but man as part of a movement or a crowd is indifferent to me. He is inhuman. And I have nothing to do with nations, or nationalism. The only feelings I have - for what they are - are for men as individuals; my loyalties, such as they may be, are to private persons alone.
The passage expresses a deep disillusionment with collective movements and the masses. The speaker feels repulsed by the idea of people acting as part of a crowd, viewing them as lacking individuality and humanity. This sentiment leads to a rejection of larger societal causes, such as governmental reform or nationalism, which the speaker finds unimportant compared to personal connections with individuals.
The speaker emphasizes that their true loyalties lie solely with individual people rather than abstract concepts or collective identities. They assert that their feelings and connections are meaningful only on a personal level, highlighting a preference for personal truths over political ideologies or national sentiments. This viewpoint champions individuality and personal relationships over larger social constructs.
