--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wouldn't steal anything because…" description: "\"I wouldn't steal anything because stealing is wrong. If I had to, I'd steal a caged bird and set it free.\" — Arthur Darvill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/arthur-darvill-30667_bird_i-wouldn-t-steal-anything-because-steali_2530174.png" --- # I wouldn't steal anything because stealing is wrong. If I… ![“I wouldn't steal anything because stealing is wrong. If I had to, I'd steal a caged bird and set it free.” quote by Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/arthur-darvill-30667_bird_i-wouldn-t-steal-anything-because-steali_2530174.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/arthur-darvill-30667_bird_i-wouldn-t-steal-anything-because-steali_2530174.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/arthur-darvill-30667_bird_i-wouldn-t-steal-anything-because-steali_2530174.png) > “I wouldn't steal anything because stealing is wrong. If I had to, I'd steal a caged bird and set it free.” [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A moral stance against theft, with a paradoxical twist of stealing to liberate a caged bird, highlighting ethical conflict. **In simple terms:** Stealing is wrong, but sometimes done for a perceived greater good. Key Takeaway Consider consequences before acting. Themes ethics conflict animal welfare Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - personal dilemmas - activism - animal rights Key Concepts moral philosophy paradox freedom Questions to Reflect On - Is it ever justified to break a law for a moral cause? - What alternatives exist to achieve liberation? A Different Perspective Stealing may cause harm despite good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Caged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caged/) [Caged birds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caged-birds/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Steal Caged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steal-caged-1335098/) [Steal Stealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steal-stealing-1335099/) [Stealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealing/) [Stealing Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealing-wrong-839764/) [Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief/) [Wouldn Steal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wouldn-steal-1184648/) ## Related quotes > [And when you had made sure of the poor little fool," said my aunt - "God forgive me that I should call her so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/and-when-you-had-made-sure-of-the-poor-little-fool-said-my-aunt-god/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,- When he beats his bars and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laurence-dunbar/i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings-ah-me-when-his-wing-is-bruised-and-2/) [Paul Laurence Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laurence-dunbar/) > [The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-caged-bird-sings-with-a-fearful-trill-of-things-unknown-but/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Tell me why the caged bird nutters against its prison bars, and I will tell you why the soul sickens of earthliness. The bird…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolph-sinks-foster/tell-me-why-the-caged-bird-nutters-against-its-prison-bars-and-i-will/) [Randolph Sinks Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randolph-sinks-foster/) > [Caged birds sing of freedom, free birds fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorolf-rafto/caged-birds-sing-of-freedom-free-birds-fly/) [Thorolf Rafto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorolf-rafto/) > [I know what the caged bird feels, alas!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laurence-dunbar/i-know-what-the-caged-bird-feels-alas/) [Paul Laurence Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laurence-dunbar/) > [But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/but-a-caged-bird-stands-on-the-grave-of-dreams/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I have read in books that we are called 'caged birds'. 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Stealing is wrong if you're the one being stolen from, but it's right if you're only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-green/right-and-wrong-depend-on-where-you-re-standing-stealing-is-wrong-if/) [Sharon Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-green/) > [“Stealing is wrong Billy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chuka/stealing-is-wrong-billy/) [David Chuka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chuka/) > [Islam was like a mental cage. At first, when you open the door, the caged bird stays inside: it is frightened. It has internalized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/islam-was-like-a-mental-cage-at-first-when-you-open-the-door-the/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) ## More by Arthur Darvill > [I'd rather do my own performance than copy someone else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-d-rather-do-my-own-performance-than-copy-someone-else-s/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [The Globe' is one of the most terrifying theatres in London. It's that mob element - everyone packed in and staring up at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/the-globe-is-one-of-the-most-terrifying-theatres-in-london-it-s-that/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [You can only lead if the people that you're leading want to be led.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/you-can-only-lead-if-the-people-that-you-re-leading-want-to-be-led/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [It's really exciting to be a part of something new that's pushing boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/it-s-really-exciting-to-be-a-part-of-something-new-that-s-pushing/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [Broadchurch' is very different, but it's equally as good as 'The Killing' - if not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/broadchurch-is-very-different-but-it-s-equally-as-good-as-the-killing/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [I get to go to work and FaceTime my friends and family and go, "Hey, I'm just showing you around my spaceship!" 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Good drama in the U.S. is also so funny and blurs the line between light and dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-think-breaking-bad-is-brilliant-good-drama-in-the-u-s-is-also-so/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [I did 'Little Dorrit' a few years ago; I really love doing period dramas. It's stuff like that I really enjoy watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-did-little-dorrit-a-few-years-ago-i-really-love-doing-period-dramas/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [Monday is great if I can spend it in bed. I'm a man of simple pleasures, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/monday-is-great-if-i-can-spend-it-in-bed-i-m-a-man-of-simple/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [I use music as therapy. Whenever I'm feeling angry or needing some 'me' time, which is quite regularly, I'll go and bang a piano…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-use-music-as-therapy-whenever-i-m-feeling-angry-or-needing-some-me/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [I didn't really have any aspirations to do TV when I first decided to be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-didn-t-really-have-any-aspirations-to-do-tv-when-i-first-decided-to/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [When I was young, my mum was part of a brilliant puppet theatre that toured all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/when-i-was-young-my-mum-was-part-of-a-brilliant-puppet-theatre-that/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) > [I go to the Natural History Museum and look at the cage of stuffed starlings there. But my favourite thing is the big blue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-darvill/i-go-to-the-natural-history-museum-and-look-at-the-cage-of-stuffed/) [Arthur Darvill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) [Explore all 17 Arthur Darvill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-darvill/) ## More Bird quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. 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The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [And wheresoever, in his rich creation, Sweet music breathes--in wave, or bird, or soul-- 'Tis but the faint and far reverberation Of that great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-wheresoever-in-his-rich-creation-sweet-music-breathes-in-wave-or/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. 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The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [Real like sucks the life out of losers. if you want to fuck with the eagles, you must learn how to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-like-sucks-the-life-out-of-losers-if-you-want-to-fuck-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If we studied birds ,maybe we could learn to be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/if-we-studied-birds-maybe-we-could-learn-to-be-free/) [Benjamin Alire Sáenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) [Browse all 4,802 Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wouldn't steal anything because stealing is wrong. 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