Sentence:  A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second, that second for a third, and so on 'til the bulk of the society is reduced to be mere <WSD>automatons</WSD> of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A person who acts like a machine or robot, often defined as having a monotonous lifestyle and lacking in emotion.