“The more unpopular an opinion is, the more necessary it is that the holder should be somewhat punctilious in his observance of conventionalities generally.”

Sometimes. Tyrants are on the bad end of that thought.

Tbere is no reason for everyone not to be punctilious, but it's true, those who hold popular views will not be scrutinized. Nevertheless, the statement is valid.

Hiter was a vegatarian, non-smoker and tee-totaller ... it helped his political career tremendously.