A great soul yearns to spread over everything
The more it reaches down to the lower, simple regions of life, to the realization and materialization of all things, the more it increases its own spiritual stature.
It rises to the level of hessed (which evaluates all phenomena in life not according to their adherence to Judaism today, but to the progress that they can lead to), and this places it in a positive relationship with all things. The elevation of the soul, made possible, in part, by its assimilation of the lower, material regions, is necessary for correct advancement toward the future; with the help of this the soul can make straight all paths and show that from the perspective of an orientation to the future, there is spiritual and religious meaning in many things in the world which do not seem to us today to be of religious value. See also paragraphs 21, 128, and 163.
The term "smaller souls" refers to people who cannot see in perspective, but are occupied only with observing limitations.
Because they believe that to stretch into these lower regions of existence is not in accordance with their narrow view of Judaism.
Because this great soul does not wish to harm the existing forms of religious and social organization (as it considers these also to be of value, despite the fact that they sometimes obstruct its progress), it avoids coming into direct confrontation with these "small, narrow-minded people."
Although it cannot always act according to its own higher ideals, inside itself, at least, it must remain faithful to them.
And because it is filled with this hope, it emanates, disseminating hope all around, and in this way helps to move the world forward.
If one does not climb to the heights of the world, one cannot attain the heights of the soul.