Alacrity Quote by Samuel Johnson
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, 1759
If everyone were virtuous, teaching them to fly would be easy, but a malicious enemy could attack from above, making any defense useless.
In simple terms: Virtue alone can't protect against unseen threats.
Key Takeaway
Consider hidden dangers when planning security.
Themes
virtue
security
vulnerability
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- military planning
- cybersecurity
- public policy
- personal safety
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
defense strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we protect against threats we cannot see?
- What defenses are effective against unconventional attacks?
A Different Perspective
Even virtuous societies need practical safeguards against malicious forces.
![“... Don [Hewitt, 60 Minutes exec producer] told me, "You have set broadcast journalism back 20 years." Naturally, I was both proud and elated although too modest to say so, but broadcast journalism recovered with alacrity, my contract wasn't renewed, and the incident was forgotten.” quote by Nicholas von Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d8/nicholas-von-hoffman-32722_alacrity_don-hewitt-60-minutes-exec-producer-told_603904.jpg)
