Only by being suspended ...

Only by being suspended aloft, by dangling my mind in the heavens and mingling my rare thought with the ethereal air, could I ever achieve strict scientific accuracy in my survey of the vast empyrean. Had I pursued my inquiries from down there on the ground, my data would be worthless. The earth, you see, pulls down the delicate essence of thought to its own gross level.
 Aristophanes

Quotes from the same author

A man should be able to stand up under any disaster for his country's good.
 Aristophanes
Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.
 Aristophanes
Open your mind before your mouth
 Aristophanes
Why, I'd like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of our trip.
 Aristophanes
Weak mortals, chained to the earth, creatures of clay as frail as the foliage of the woods, you unfortunate race, whose life is but darkness, as unreal as a shadow, the illusion of a dream.
 Aristophanes