"I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney"

This quote by Samuel Johnson recommends that he is not ready to speak negatively of someone unless they have actually done something to deserve it. He is implying that the individual he is describing is a lawyer, and he is unsure if they have done something to deserve his criticism. This might be analyzed as a cautioning to be careful when handling attorneys, as they might not constantly be trustworthy. It might likewise be translated as an indication of respect for the occupation, as Johnson is not ready to speak ill of somebody without knowing the complete story. Ultimately, this quote serves as a suggestion to be cautious and to reconsider prior to speaking ill of somebody, no matter their occupation.