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A burglar who respects his art always takes his time before taking anything else.
O. Henry
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote humorously suggests that even a burglar can take pride in their craft and be deliberate in their actions.

O. Henry's quote implies that a skilled burglar, like an artist, approaches their work with care and consideration. It plays on the absurdity of equating a criminal's methodical planning with the dedication of a legitimate artist, highlighting a humorous yet insightful view on the nature of craftsmanship in any field, even those deemed illicit.

Themes

BurglarArtCraftsmanshipHumorTime

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used to lighten the mood in a discussion about clever criminals.

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But the best, in my opinion, was the home life in the little flat--the ardent, voluble chats after the day's study; the cozy dinners and fresh, light breakfasts; the interchange of ambitions--ambitions interwoven each with the other's or else inconsiderable--the mutual help and inspiration; and--overlook my artlessness--stuffed olives and cheese sandwiches at 11 p.m.
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You can't appreciate home till you've left it, money till it's spent, your wife till she's joined a woman's club, nor Old Glory till you see it hanging on a broomstick on the shanty of a consul in a foreign town.
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She had become so thoroughly annealed into his life that she was like the air he breathed--necessary but scarcely noticed.
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