--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull…" description: "\"Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face, you expose your feet.\" — Austin O'Malley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg" --- # Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face… ![“Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face, you expose your feet.” quote by Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg) > “Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face, you expose your feet.” [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cunning tactics may seem protective but reveal hidden vulnerabilities when misused. **In simple terms:** Cunning hides truth and shows weakness. Key Takeaway Beware of deceptive strategies. Themes trust deception vulnerability Mood cautious reflective Type advice warning When to use this quote - relationships - workplace negotiations - political maneuvering - personal boundaries Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does your own cleverness expose you? - When have you been caught by your own trick? A Different Perspective Cunning can backfire if others see through it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) ## Related quotes > [The first inventions of commerce are, like those of all other arts, cunning and short-sighted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-philpot-curran/the-first-inventions-of-commerce-are-like-those-of-all-other-arts/) [John Philpot Curran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-philpot-curran/) > [I am defined by my will to survive, not by intelligence or cunning or money or good looks. The Creator didn't see her way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaune-quick-to-see-smith/i-am-defined-by-my-will-to-survive-not-by-intelligence-or-cunning-or/) [Jaune Quick–to–See Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaune-quick-to-see-smith/) > [“Would you like to sit?" Kellen asked her. "You'd better do it soon," Owen whispered close to her ear, "or I'm going to bend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-cunning/would-you-like-to-sit-kellen-asked-her-you-d-better-do-it-soon-owen/) [Olivia Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-cunning/) > [“When a man possesses the innocence of a child, we call him a fool. When a child possesses the cunning of a man, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/when-a-man-possesses-the-innocence-of-a-child-we-call-him-a-fool-when/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Stratagem is the right hand of cunning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-william-curtis/stratagem-is-the-right-hand-of-cunning/) [George William Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-william-curtis/) > [“Till swollen with cunning, of a self-conceit, His waxen wings did mount above his reach, And melting heavens conspired his overthrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-marlowe/till-swollen-with-cunning-of-a-self-conceit-his-waxen-wings-did-mount/) [Christopher Marlowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-marlowe/) > [Treason and murder ever kept together, As two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose, Working so grossly in a natural cause That admiration did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/treason-and-murder-ever-kept-together-as-two-yoke-devils-sworn-to/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-sometimes-necessary-to-play-the-fool-to-avoid-being-deceived-by/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Art is the final cunning of the human soul which would rather do anything than face the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-murdoch/art-is-the-final-cunning-of-the-human-soul-which-would-rather-do/) [Iris Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-murdoch/) > [Why do some die and some live? The answer was clearly, that on the whole the best fitted live. From the effects of disease…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/why-do-some-die-and-some-live-the-answer-was-clearly-that-on-the/) [Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/) > [That humanity and sincerity which dispose men to resist injustice and tyranny render them unfit to cope with the cunning and power of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-humanity-and-sincerity-which-dispose-men-to-resist-injustice-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The terrible immoralities are the cunning ones hiding behind masks of morality, such as exploiting people while pretending to help them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-howard/the-terrible-immoralities-are-the-cunning-ones-hiding-behind-masks-of/) [Vernon Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-howard/) > [It is a pity that, commonly, more care is had--yea, and that among very wise men--to find out rather a cunning man for their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ascham/it-is-a-pity-that-commonly-more-care-is-had-yea-and-that-among-very/) [Roger Ascham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ascham/) > [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Charm is a cunning self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/charm-is-a-cunning-self-forgetfulness/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) ## More by Austin O'Malley > [Sermons are like pie-crust, the shorter the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/sermons-are-like-pie-crust-the-shorter-the-better/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [You can swim in life and seawater, but both are hard to swallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/you-can-swim-in-life-and-seawater-but-both-are-hard-to-swallow/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Law is the rudder of the ship of state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/law-is-the-rudder-of-the-ship-of-state/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [A woman, like a cross-eyed man, looks one way, but goes another--hence her mysteriousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/a-woman-like-a-cross-eyed-man-looks-one-way-but-goes-another-hence/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Religion often gets credit for curing rascals when old age is the real medicine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/religion-often-gets-credit-for-curing-rascals-when-old-age-is-the/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Charity is the note that resolves the discord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/charity-is-the-note-that-resolves-the-discord/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [We must be laid like a brand in the fire ... if we would gain immortal youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/we-must-be-laid-like-a-brand-in-the-fire-if-we-would-gain-immortal/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [If you snub Conscience a few times she will cut your acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/if-you-snub-conscience-a-few-times-she-will-cut-your-acquaintance/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [A hole is nothing at all, but you can break your neck in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/a-hole-is-nothing-at-all-but-you-can-break-your-neck-in-it/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [A drunkard is like a whiskey-bottle, all neck and belly and no head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/a-drunkard-is-like-a-whiskey-bottle-all-neck-and-belly-and-no-head/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Power should answer by action, not by speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/power-should-answer-by-action-not-by-speech/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Charity is the only lubricant that keeps the axle of the world creaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/charity-is-the-only-lubricant-that-keeps-the-axle-of-the-world/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Reason clears and plants the wilderness of the imagination to harvest the wheat of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/reason-clears-and-plants-the-wilderness-of-the-imagination-to-harvest/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Some men are like a church-organ -- you can play on them for a lifetime and always find new harmonies; others are like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/some-men-are-like-a-church-organ-you-can-play-on-them-for-a-lifetime/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [Laws are made by the old, exceptions by the young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/laws-are-made-by-the-old-exceptions-by-the-young/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) [Explore all 207 Austin O'Malley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) ## More Blanket quotes > [I would drink gallons of coffee a day. Even now, off caffeine, I talk faster than anyone you've ever met. I finally recognized that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-englander/i-would-drink-gallons-of-coffee-a-day-even-now-off-caffeine-i-talk/) [Nathan Englander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-englander/) > [“A blanket could be used to make sweet, sweet music with the love of your life. Hopefully that person is me, because I’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-make-sweet-sweet-music-with-the-love-of/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Someone else who liked what I did might turn around and say, "She's reworking and rethinking everything. She could just be making blankets now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/someone-else-who-liked-what-i-did-might-turn-around-and-say-she-s/) [Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/) > [Old ladies in wheelchairs with blankets over their legs, I don't think so...retired mermaids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-jones/old-ladies-in-wheelchairs-with-blankets-over-their-legs-i-don-t-think/) [Milton Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-jones/) > [“A blanket could be used to lay down the law. Lay it down over there, on top of the bed, and I’ll come over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-lay-down-the-law-lay-it-down-over-there-on/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [When we go... to bear witness to life on the streets, we're offering ourselves. Not blankets, not food, not clothes, just ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-glassman/when-we-go-to-bear-witness-to-life-on-the-streets-we-re-offering/) [Bernie Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-glassman/) > [“If a blanket could be used to keep one person warm, then it stands to reason that all the blankets in the world are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/if-a-blanket-could-be-used-to-keep-one-person-warm-then-it-stands-to/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [You all polite and open doors for her. While every night I put that blanket on the floor for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludacris/you-all-polite-and-open-doors-for-her-while-every-night-i-put-that/) [Ludacris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludacris/) > [“A blanket could be used to suffocate our secret desires. And what do I secretly desire? I desire suffocation, and that is why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-suffocate-our-secret-desires-and-what-do-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Never walk near the bed; to a ghost your ankle is your most vulnerable part-once in bed, you're safe; he may lie around under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/never-walk-near-the-bed-to-a-ghost-your-ankle-is-your-most-vulnerable/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [You'll see that it'll take more than five and a half months to wipe away peel;scrape away the blanket of ignorance that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-antoine/you-ll-see-that-it-ll-take-more-than-five-and-a-half-months-to-wipe/) Matthew Antoine > [The trainee knew he should leave, but he was unable to look away. He'd never seen anything snap out so fast or strike so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/the-trainee-knew-he-should-leave-but-he-was-unable-to-look-away-he-d/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“…finally I see that it’s never been me, just a blanket that keeps you warm. Easily tossed along when something flashier or someone prettier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/finally-i-see-that-it-s-never-been-me-just-a-blanket-that-keeps-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have always wanted to act ever since I was a little girl. I would put a blanket under my shirt and pretend that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-fanning/i-have-always-wanted-to-act-ever-since-i-was-a-little-girl-i-would/) [Dakota Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-fanning/) > [“A blanket could be used to say I’m sorry without using words, gestures, body language, facial expressions, or telepathy. I’ve always thought it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-say-i-m-sorry-without-using-words-gestures/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) Browse all 627 Blanket quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face, you expose your feet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Austin O'Malley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-it-over-your-face-you-expose/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blanket" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-it-over-your-face-you-expose/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/austin-o-malley-1805_blanket_cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-i_836173.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Cunning is a short blanket--if you pull it over your face, you expose your feet.” — Austin O'Malley", "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": "Austin O'Malley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Cunning is a short blanket--if you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-it-over-your-face-you-expose/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/cunning-is-a-short-blanket-if-you-pull-it-over-your-face-you-expose/#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 } } ] } ```