Timeless, like all true wisdom. The culture of any place or time is Rome by a different name. Anyone who expects to get along had damn sure better learn their place and position. Those who hope to rise in the culture must learn to talk-the-talk.
Oddly, walking-the-walk isn't quite as important. Declaring your position is usually more important than doing anything about your position. The herd is keenly aware of appearance. They're less alert to behavior, especially so if the behavior is done off-screen.
Don't go making a fuss unless your rant is in keeping with current orthodoxy. If you have unorthodox notions, keep them to yourself. Speaking-up will only get you ostracized, or worse. If you feel too much restrained by your current group you might move to an alternate group, though you'll probably get no more for your effort than alternate restraints.
The truth is no individual fits perfectly into the matrix of any group. We are each, as unique as our fingerprints. We are all groups of one.
Paradoxically, humans are drawn to belonging: my tribe; my friends; my movement. Never a complete lie. Never completely true. Aways a compromise of personal integrity.
Isn't compromise always good?
Many think so. I don't.
The compromise between right and wrong is, half-right. I can't believe half-right is ever acceptable.
Getting anything right is tough enough without corrupting individual conviction to compromise.
Compromise is inherently dishonest.
That's why compromise tends to be temporary, except when the compromise isn't about anything important.
Still, when in Rome you're well advised to do what the Romans do, though you'd best not drink the water. Oh wait, I've conflated two axioms. The bit about not drinking the water was said about visiting Mexico before they modernized.
These days Mexico's water is filtered potable. Getting carelessly caught in a crossfire between rival Cartel shoot-outs or getting kidnapped, is the modern problem.
Whither Rome, Mexico, or anywhere else - then, now, and always - both axioms remain useful: adapt to local custom; don’t drink the water.
By water, I mean any sort of group-think.
When "everybody knows", they don't. When right-thinking believers generously offer a drink, thank them, but don't imbibe.
They mean well. There's no use in questioning their convictions. You needn't refuse outright.
Only say, "Thanks, but I just opened this bottle
I brought from home". You might even raise your glass in
a toast to mutual hospitality.
"Oh, if only the others could see as clearly as ourselves".