Y'all are missing the point. The people who preach virtues are most likely to be lining up victims to rob. "Quit wiggling while I pick your pocket. I'm actually doing you a favor by taking your dirty old money." Brecht is one smart fella. I'll have to look him up.

It means that what you want does not matter, other people are going to do what they want and you better be ready to stand up for yourself. It sounds better with the rest. Only a college sophomore accepts the validity of an argument that begins "If only everyone would..." because only a college sophomore is dumb enough to think everyone would!