Hero

'If I were to be made a knight,' said the Wart, staring dreamily into the fire,
...
'I should pray to God to let me encounter all the evil in the world in my own person, so that if I conquered there should be none left, while if I were defeated, it would be I who would suffer for it.'
'That would be extremely presumptious of you', said Merlyn, 'and you would be conquered, and you would suffer for it.'
'I shouldn't mind'
'Wouldn't you? Wait till it happens and see.'
'Why do people not think, when they are grown up, as I do when I am young?'
'Oh dear,' said Merlyn. 'You are making me feel confused. Suppose you wait till you are grown up and know the reason?'
'I don't think that is an answer at all,' replied the Wart, pretty justly.
Merlyn wrung his hands.
'Well, anyway,' he said. 'Suppose they didn't let you stand against all the evil in the world?'
'I could ask,' said the Wart.
'You could ask,' repeated Merlyn.

- The Sword In The Stone