Armour

Armour (British English or Canadian English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a protective covering that is used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or vehicle by direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action (e.g., cycling, construction sites, etc.).

Personal armour is used to protect soldiers and war animals. Vehicle armour is used on warships and armoured fighting vehicles.

A second use of the term armour describes armoured forces, armoured weapons, and their role in combat. After the evolution of armoured warfare, mechanised infantry and their weapons came to be referred to collectively as "armour".

Quotes

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ~ Ephesians 6

• ARMOR, n. The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.
  • Ambrose Bierce, The Cynic's Dictionary (1906); republished as The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

• The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error.
  • William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold Speech at the Democratic National Convention, Chicago, Illinois, (9 July 1896)

• To me it seems that it is madder never to abandon oneself, than often to be infatuated; better to be wounded, a captive, and a slave, than always to walk in armor.
  • Margaret Fuller, Summer on the Lakes, in 1843 (1844), "Free Hope" p. 131. [1]

• 'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
  • New Testament, Ephesians 6:10-20 (KJV)

"The easiest armor to put on is always cruelty. But that easy armor must be forgone."

• There is nothing you must hold to more sternly than to be kind and sympathetic. The easiest armor to put on is always cruelty. That armor will, indeed, see you through everything. Vicious condescension toward those without your strength can make you feel momentarily superior. But that easy armor must be forgone. Don't ever curdle that creamy brow with lines of easy disdain, or curl those lips with a popular sneer. Of all the models available, the one of gentleman in our late war is most succinct: Face what you have to face with humor, dignity, and style; protect yourself with knightly grace; have contempt for your own weakness and never encourage it in others; but never, Ralph, never for an instant permit yourself to feel anything other than pity and deepest sympathy for unfortunate comrades who have, after all, fallen in the same battle.
  • Robert Patrick, Untold Decades: Seven Comedies of Gay Romance (1988), One of Those People.

• Difesa miglior, ch'usbergo e scudo,
  È la santa innocenza al petto ignudo.
  • For shield and mail are less secure defence
    To the bare breast than holy innocence.
    • Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme Liberata (1581), Canto VIII, stanza 41 (tr. Alex. Cuningham Robertson)
  • Variant translation: Better defence than shield or breastplate, is holy innocence to the naked breast!

• How happy is he born and taught,
  That serveth not another's will;
  Whose armor is his honest thought,
  And simple truth his utmost skill!
  • Henry Wotton, The Character of a Happy Life (1614), stanza 1.

Shakespeare

• Their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright,
  Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen's blood.
  • King John, act II, scene 1, English Herald