If, sir, men were all ...

If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security of the good if the bad could at pleasure invade them from the sky? Against an army sailing through the clouds neither wall, nor mountains, nor seas could afford any security.
If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security of the good if the bad could at pleasure invade them from the sky? Against an army sailing through the clouds neither wall, nor mountains, nor seas could afford any security.
 Samuel Johnson

Quotes from the same author

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.
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 Samuel Johnson
To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
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 Samuel Johnson
Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.
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 Samuel Johnson
Memory is the mother of all wisdom.
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 Samuel Johnson
Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.
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 Samuel Johnson