As given in Rousseau and Romanticism:

I have been struck in my study of the past by the endless self-deception to which man is subject when he tries to pass too abruptly from the naturalistic to the religious level. The world, it is hard to avoid concluding, would have been a better place if more persons had made sure they were human before setting out to be superhuman; and this consideration would seem to apply with special force to a generation like the present that is wallowing in the trough of naturalism. After all to be a good humanist is merely to be moderate and sensible and decent. It is much easier for a man to deceive himself and others regarding his supernatural lights than it is regarding the degree to which he is moderate and sensible and decent.

Babbitt is talking about culture (and by extension politics) here, and his caveat applies well to any grand plans — whether philosophical, religious, or ideological — for reforming society, be it our own or that of some foreign land. Anyone can profess high principles. Decency in personal conduct may be less exciting, but as Babbitt argues, one is less apt to be mistaken about simpler virtues than more grandiose ones.