---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do you know how to pick a lock?\" \"Not in…"
description: "\"Do you know how to pick a lock?\" \"Not in the least, I'm afraid.\" \"I often wonder what we go to school for,\" said Wimsey.\" — Dorothy L. Sayers"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg"
---

#  Do you know how to pick a lock?" "Not in the least, I'm…

![“Do you know how to pick a lock?&quot; &quot;Not in the least, I'm afraid.&quot; &quot;I often wonder what we go to school for,&quot; said Wimsey.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg)

> “Do you know how to pick a lock?" "Not in the least, I'm afraid." "I often wonder what we go to school for," said Wimsey.”

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character expresses curiosity about lock‑picking, revealing a broader questioning of the purpose of formal education and the value of practical skills.

**In simple terms:** Questioning education’s purpose and valuing practical knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Consider learning practical skills alongside formal studies.

Themes

education practicality curiosity

Mood

inquisitive analytical

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

- school curricula
- vocational training
- self‑directed learning
- career development
- problem solving

Key Concepts

critical thinking skill acquisition lifelong learning

Questions to Reflect On

- What practical skill would you like to master?
- How can education balance theory and hands‑on experience?

A Different Perspective

Practical skills may be undervalued in traditional academia.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/)

## Related quotes

> [“My idea is that Miss Vane didn't do it," said Wimsey. "I dare say that's an idea which has already occurred to you, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/my-idea-is-that-miss-vane-didn-t-do-it-said-wimsey-i-dare-say-that-s/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [Don't be so damned discouraging," said Wimsey. "I have already carefully explained to you that this time I am investigating this business. Anybody would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/don-t-be-so-damned-discouraging-said-wimsey-i-have-already-carefully/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“As he spoke, the sound of a church clock, muffled by the snow, came borne upon the wind; it chimed the first quarter. ‘Thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/as-he-spoke-the-sound-of-a-church-clock-muffled-by-the-snow-came/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [Pick-a-lock, Pick-a-lock, you'll regret the day, When you took a mouse thief and locked him away, Silly cat, look at that, it's two for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-jacques/pick-a-lock-pick-a-lock-you-ll-regret-the-day-when-you-took-a-mouse/)

[Brian Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-jacques/)

> [How would you know? Everything’s like sex. It’s the universal metaphor. To pick a lock, let me guess, you have to go slow at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/how-would-you-know-everything-s-like-sex-it-s-the-universal-metaphor/)

[Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/)

> [“Do you have anything to pick a lock?” She asked desperately. “Always.” I slid one of the three bobby-pins I always kept with me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-bode/do-you-have-anything-to-pick-a-lock-she-asked-desperately-always-i/)

[Maya Bode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-bode/)

> [If hard work is the key to success, most people would rather pick the lock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-maxwell-macdonald/if-hard-work-is-the-key-to-success-most-people-would-rather-pick-the/)

[Claude Maxwell MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-maxwell-macdonald/)

> [I can pick a lock. How do you think I got into my parents' liquor cabinet in middle school?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-can-pick-a-lock-how-do-you-think-i-got-into-my-parents-liquor/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“six is old enough to know how to pick a lock, but not old enough to know that you don’t want to be picking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-wray-gregoire/six-is-old-enough-to-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-but-not-old-enough-to/)

Sheila Wray Gregoire

> [If you can't find the key to success, pick the lock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie/if-you-can-t-find-the-key-to-success-pick-the-lock/)

[Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie/)

> [“Honey, I was a Detective with Homicide for ten years and before that I boosted cars for a living. Trust me, I not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-d-angelo/honey-i-was-a-detective-with-homicide-for-ten-years-and-before-that-i/)

[Nina D'Angelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-d-angelo/)

> [If you cant find the key to success, pick the lock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-morgan/if-you-cant-find-the-key-to-success-pick-the-lock/)

[Harriet Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-morgan/)

> [There are many locks in my house and all with different keys, but I have one master-key which opens them all. The Lord has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-are-many-locks-in-my-house-and-all-with-different-keys-but-i/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [You are your master. Only you have the master keys to open the inner locks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/you-are-your-master-only-you-have-the-master-keys-to-open-the-inner/)

[Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/)

> [I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-have-six-locks-on-my-door-all-in-a-row-when-i-go-out-i-lock-every/)

[Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/)

## More by Dorothy L. Sayers

> [“The really essential factors of success in any undertaking are money and opportunity, and as a rule, the man who can make the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/the-really-essential-factors-of-success-in-any-undertaking-are-money/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [The trouble is. . .that everybody sneers at restrictions and demands freedom, till something annoying happens; then they demand angrily what has become of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/the-trouble-is-that-everybody-sneers-at-restrictions-and-demands/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“ Peter! Were you looking for a horse-shoe?" "No; I was expecting the horse, but the shoe is a piece of pure, gorgeous luck."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/peter-were-you-looking-for-a-horse-shoe-no-i-was-expecting-the-horse/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [ “See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. \[That\] the fundamental treason to the mind ...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-rest-may-follow-or-not-as-god/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [But it is the mark of all movements, however well-intentioned, that their pioneers tend, by much lashing of themselves into excitement, to lose sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/but-it-is-the-mark-of-all-movements-however-well-intentioned-that/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [One must not only die daily, but every day we must be born again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/one-must-not-only-die-daily-but-every-day-we-must-be-born-again/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“By teaching them all to read, we have left them at the mercy of the printed word. By the invention of the film and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/by-teaching-them-all-to-read-we-have-left-them-at-the-mercy-of-the/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [ Perhaps \[the critics are right and\] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-drama-is-played-out-now-and/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [... at no point have I yet found artistic truth and theological truth at variance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/at-no-point-have-i-yet-found-artistic-truth-and-theological-truth-at/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [I have never yet heard any middle-aged man or woman who worked with his or her brains express any regret for the passing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/i-have-never-yet-heard-any-middle-aged-man-or-woman-who-worked-with/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“That was the second time within five minutes that he had warned her off his private ground. His mood had changed since the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/that-was-the-second-time-within-five-minutes-that-he-had-warned-her/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“To obey orders in this family has been my privilege for the last twenty years--a privilege which has been an unqualified pleasure, except perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/to-obey-orders-in-this-family-has-been-my-privilege-for-the-last/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [Those who make some other person their job... are dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/those-who-make-some-other-person-their-job-are-dangerous/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [“Yes, and look at the corpses. Place always reminds me of that old thing in Punch, you know—‘Waiter, take away Lord Whatsisname, he’s been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/yes-and-look-at-the-corpses-place-always-reminds-me-of-that-old-thing/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

[Explore all 386 Dorothy L. Sayers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

## More Afraid quotes

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/)

[Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/)

> [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/)

[Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/)

> [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/)

[Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/)

> [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/)

[Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/)

> [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/)

Darlene Senger

> [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/)

[Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/)

> [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/)

[James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/)

> [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/)

[Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/)

> [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/)

[Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/)

> [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/)

[Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/)

> [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/)

[Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/)

Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Do you know how to pick a lock?\" \"Not in the least, I'm afraid.\" \"I often wonder what we go to school for,\" said Wimsey.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dorothy L. Sayers"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-the-least-i-m-afraid-i-often/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Afraid"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-the-least-i-m-afraid-i-often/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/dorothy-l-sayers-738_locks_do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-th_1847509.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Do you know how to pick a lock?\" \"Not in the least, I'm afraid.\" \"I often wonder what we go to school for,\"…” — Dorothy L. Sayers",
                "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": "Dorothy L. Sayers",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Do you know how to pick...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-the-least-i-m-afraid-i-often/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/do-you-know-how-to-pick-a-lock-not-in-the-least-i-m-afraid-i-often/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
