This quote is a cautionary statement about the relationship between humans and technology. It advocates for the use of machines to enhance our capabilities and improve our lives, but warns against becoming overly dependent or controlled by them. It suggests that while machines can be beneficial tools, they should not dictate our actions or decisions, nor should they diminish our own skills or abilities.

In a broader sense, it’s a call for balance and mindful engagement with technology. It’s not against progress or innovation, but rather against thoughtless adoption and use of technology. It’s about maintaining our autonomy and critical thinking in a world increasingly dominated by machines.

Applying this idea in today’s world, especially with the pervasive presence of digital technology and the internet, it means we should use these tools to increase our productivity, knowledge, and connectivity. However, we should be wary of becoming too reliant on them to the point that we lose our ability to function without them, or let them dictate our lives, like becoming addicted to social media or letting algorithms determine what we read, watch, or buy.

In terms of personal development, it encourages us to leverage technology to learn new skills, improve efficiency, or achieve our goals. But we should not let technology replace essential human skills, like critical thinking, problem-solving, or interpersonal communication. For instance, while it’s convenient to use GPS, we should still maintain our ability to navigate independently. Or while it’s efficient to use spell-check, we should still learn and understand the rules of grammar and spelling.

In essence, this quote is a reminder to use machines as our tools, not our masters. It’s about being the active user of technology, not a passive recipient. It’s about making technology work for us, not the other way around.