--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Guilt is the thief of life." description: "\"Guilt is the thief of life.\" — Anthony Hopkins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png" --- # Guilt is the thief of life. ![“Guilt is the thief of life.” quote by Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png) > “Guilt is the thief of life.” [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A metaphor that guilt steals joy and purpose from life. **In simple terms:** Guilt drains life. Key Takeaway Release guilt to live fully. Themes psychology emotion freedom Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - personal relationships - mental health - self‑growth Key Concepts guilt self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - What guilt is constructive? - How to differentiate guilt from shame? A Different Perspective Guilt can be a useful moral guide. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief/) [Thieves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thieves/) ## Related quotes > [“Survivor guilt is a thief of joy—yet another secondary loss from death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/survivor-guilt-is-a-thief-of-joy-yet-another-secondary-loss-from-death/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“Most people, aware of the number of difficulties already present in a thief's life, were kind enough to use the same few hiding places.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/most-people-aware-of-the-number-of-difficulties-already-present-in-a/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“Guilt was a thief. It would steal your mind, mess with your priorities and would eventually steer you from your original plan. I couldn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-shen/guilt-was-a-thief-it-would-steal-your-mind-mess-with-your-priorities/) [L.J. Shen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-shen/) > [While the parts change, the whole always remains the same. For every thief who departs this world, a new one is born. And every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-the-parts-change-the-whole-always-remains-the-same-for-every/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The difference between a thief and a congressman: When a thief steals your money, he doesn't expect you to thank him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/the-difference-between-a-thief-and-a-congressman-when-a-thief-steals/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [Every rascal is not a thief, but every thief is a rascal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/every-rascal-is-not-a-thief-but-every-thief-is-a-rascal/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [A procrastinator is a thief of his or her own time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhoon-goo-rhee/a-procrastinator-is-a-thief-of-his-or-her-own-time/) Jhoon Goo Rhee > [Anyone who puts a small gloss on a fundamental technology, calls it proprietary, and then tries to keep others from building on it, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-reilly/anyone-who-puts-a-small-gloss-on-a-fundamental-technology-calls-it/) [Tim O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-reilly/) > [“Your Majesty?” Alric looked up at the thief with a scowl. “I just want to say for the record that as far as royal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/your-majesty-alric-looked-up-at-the-thief-with-a-scowl-i-just-want-to/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Out of the closets and into the museums, libraries, architectural monuments, concert halls, bookstores, recording studios and film studios of the world. Everything belongs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/out-of-the-closets-and-into-the-museums-libraries-architectural/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every true man's apparel fits your thief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/every-true-man-s-apparel-fits-your-thief/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If a man knows he will sooner or later be robbed upon a journey, he will have a bottle of the best in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/if-a-man-knows-he-will-sooner-or-later-be-robbed-upon-a-journey-he/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [If war comes upon us, it will come as a thief in the night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-de-valera/if-war-comes-upon-us-it-will-come-as-a-thief-in-the-night/) [Eamon de Valera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-de-valera/) > [Procrastination is the thief of time: Year after year it steals, till all are fled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/procrastination-is-the-thief-of-time-year-after-year-it-steals-till/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## More by Anthony Hopkins > [Life's too short to deal with other people's insecurities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/life-s-too-short-to-deal-with-other-people-s-insecurities/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I visualized a lot of things happening to me, because I was a lonely kid because I didn't understand anything about school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-visualized-a-lot-of-things-happening-to-me-because-i-was-a-lonely/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [My life is not my own business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/my-life-is-not-my-own-business/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I watched a film with a very famous, great, great actor, I won't mention his name because everyone loves his memory, but I thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-watched-a-film-with-a-very-famous-great-great-actor-i-won-t-mention/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [Danger is the spice of life and you’ve got to take a risk now and then…that’s what makes life worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/danger-is-the-spice-of-life-and-you-ve-got-to-take-a-risk-now-and/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [Actors I admire? Ed Harris, or course, I think he's terrific; because I know he always had to fight being what he looked like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/actors-i-admire-ed-harris-or-course-i-think-he-s-terrific-because-i/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I love to have a laugh. I like to tease people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-love-to-have-a-laugh-i-like-to-tease-people/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I think doubt is a very healthy way to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-think-doubt-is-a-very-healthy-way-to-live/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [The knighthood was a tremendous honour, I don't dismiss it. But I feel embarrassed by the flowery, theatrical stuff that goes with being an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/the-knighthood-was-a-tremendous-honour-i-don-t-dismiss-it-but-i-feel/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [My father was grounded, a very meat-and-potatoes man. He was a baker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/my-father-was-grounded-a-very-meat-and-potatoes-man-he-was-a-baker/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [Most of my last 30 years have been like that. Results and manifestations of things I'd dreamed of as a young kid and wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/most-of-my-last-30-years-have-been-like-that-results-and/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I used to be a bit obsessed by acting but not anymore. I do enjoy acting but I probably enjoy it more now because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-used-to-be-a-bit-obsessed-by-acting-but-not-anymore-i-do-enjoy/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I don't know what I believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-don-t-know-what-i-believe/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I always distrust the word art when it is applied to acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-always-distrust-the-word-art-when-it-is-applied-to-acting/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I just learn my lines, go on set. Do my preparation, whatever that is. Have a cup of coffee. Say hello to everyone. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-just-learn-my-lines-go-on-set-do-my-preparation-whatever-that-is/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) [Explore all 255 Anthony Hopkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) ## More Guilt quotes > [Never fight on the wrong side; you might win but the burden of guilt is more than a loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-salan/never-fight-on-the-wrong-side-you-might-win-but-the-burden-of-guilt/) [Lilian Salan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-salan/) > [“As parents who make every effort we can to raise our children in loving security, we do not need to feel more guilt than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/as-parents-who-make-every-effort-we-can-to-raise-our-children-in/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [“Even in the miserable guilt we feel over our beastlike insensitivity, the glory of God shines. If God were not gloriously desirable, why would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/even-in-the-miserable-guilt-we-feel-over-our-beastlike-insensitivity/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Regrets are just a way for the foolish and the guilty to pass the time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gensoumaden-saiyuki/regrets-are-just-a-way-for-the-foolish-and-the-guilty-to-pass-the-time/) Gensoumaden Saiyuki > [(I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-f-we-are-going-to-be-kind-let-it-be-out-of-simple-generosity-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Money should not be in the hands of individuals; otherwise it will create this problem of being burdened with guilt. And money can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/money-should-not-be-in-the-hands-of-individuals-otherwise-it-will/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Food ... love ... mother ... career ... Live every day to the fullest. Partake of the four basic guilt groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-guisewite/food-love-mother-career-live-every-day-to-the-fullest-partake-of-the/) [Cathy Guisewite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-guisewite/) > [Anger was better than tears, better than grief, better than guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anger-was-better-than-tears-better-than-grief-better-than-guilt/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Phil and Hannah had decided that Christian guilt was better than bad math”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhoda-janzen/phil-and-hannah-had-decided-that-christian-guilt-was-better-than-bad/) [rhoda janzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhoda-janzen/) > [No amount of guilt can solve the past & No amount of anxiety can change the future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananymous/no-amount-of-guilt-can-solve-the-past-no-amount-of-anxiety-can-change/) [Ananymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananymous/) > [The essence of having fun is enjoying without guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-essence-of-having-fun-is-enjoying-without-guilt/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) [Browse all 2,943 Guilt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Guilt is the thief of life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anthony Hopkins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/guilt-is-the-thief-of-life/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Guilt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/guilt-is-the-thief-of-life/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/anthony-hopkins-1334_guilt_guilt-is-the-thief-of-life-2962453_2962453.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Guilt is the thief of life.” — Anthony Hopkins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anthony Hopkins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Guilt is the thief of life.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/guilt-is-the-thief-of-life/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/guilt-is-the-thief-of-life/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```