It is a state of neutral equilibrium, stationary of itself but perfectly responsive to an impulse from without.

Left to their own devices, they are conservative enough, but they instantly copy a more advanced civilization the moment they get a chance.

This proclivity on their part is not out of keeping with our theory.

On the contrary, it is precisely what was to have been expected; for we see the very same apparent contradiction in characters we are thrown with every day.

Imitation is the natural substitute for originality.