In "Middlemarch," George Eliot explores the potential dangers of overarching doctrines that lack personal empathy and connection. The quote emphasizes that without the grounding influence of genuine feelings for others, these doctrines can erode our moral values. This highlights the importance of human relationships and compassion in guiding our ethical decisions.

The idea suggests that while abstract beliefs can shape our thoughts, they may lead us astray if they overshadow our capacity for understanding and caring for individuals. Eliot warns that morality is best maintained when it is rooted in empathy and direct emotional engagement with others, rather than purely intellectual doctrines.