Here is the root of all romanticism: that man, the individual, is an infinite reservoir of possibilities, and if you can so rearrange society by the destruction of oppressive order, then these possibilities will have a chance, and you will get Progress.

The quote "Here is the root of all romanticism: that man, the individual, is an infinite reservoir of possibilities, and if you can so rearrange society by the destruction of oppressive order, then these possibilities will have a chance, and you will get Progress." by T. E. Hulme defines the core belief behind romanticism as a movement. Hulme suggests that the individual possesses limitless potential—an “infinite reservoir of possibilities.” This belief places human creativity, emotion, and personal growth at the center of cultural and social transformation.

The meaning lies in the connection Hulme draws between human potential and the need for societal change. He argues that in order for individuals to fully express and develop their abilities, oppressive order—systems, traditions, or authorities that limit personal freedom—must be dismantled. The implication is that Progress is not merely technological or economic, but deeply tied to the liberation of human expression and individuality.

The origin of this idea comes from the philosophical and artistic roots of romanticism in the late 18th and 19th centuries, which reacted against the constraints of rationalism, industrialization, and rigid social hierarchies. As a literary critic and philosopher, Hulme was deeply engaged with debates about the nature of art, society, and human spirit. While he later distanced himself from pure romanticism, here he captures its essential optimism about the human condition.

Ultimately, Hulme’s words highlight the romantic conviction that if society is restructured to remove oppression, human beings will naturally flourish. This reflects a belief in the transformative power of freedom—both personal and collective—as the pathway to genuine progress.