--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can lock up from a thief, but you…" description: "\"You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar.\" — Flora Thompson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png" --- # You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar. ![“You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar.” quote by Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png) > “You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar.” [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical barriers can stop thieves, but deceit cannot be confined by locks, highlighting the elusive nature of lies. **In simple terms:** Locks stop thieves, but not liars. Key Takeaway Guard against deception, not just physical theft. Themes trust deception security Mood cautious analytical Type practical warning When to use this quote - business contracts - personal relationships - online security - legal proceedings Key Concepts ethical vigilance psychology of lying Questions to Reflect On - How can I detect hidden falsehoods? - What safeguards protect against deceit? A Different Perspective Liars may evade detection despite safeguards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar/) [Liars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liars/) [Lock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lock/) [Lock Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lock-thief-5243275/) [Lock up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lock-up/) [Locks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locks/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief/) [Thief Liar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief-liar-630977/) [Thieves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thieves/) ## Related quotes > [Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/lock-up-your-libraries-if-you-like-but-there-is-no-gate-no-lock-no/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [The only difference between the sane and the insane is that the sane have the power to lock up the insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-only-difference-between-the-sane-and-the-insane-is-that-the-sane/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [And some people, you've got to lock up. If you don't, they're going to hurt you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-some-people-you-ve-got-to-lock-up-if-you-don-t-they-re-going-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cookie Monster thief, not liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cookie-monster/cookie-monster-thief-not-liar/) [Cookie Monster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cookie-monster/) > [“He might have been a thief and a liar and a cheat, but he was a good person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blundell/he-might-have-been-a-thief-and-a-liar-and-a-cheat-but-he-was-a-good/) [Judy Blundell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blundell/) > [Frankly, it's good enough to lock up in a drawer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/frankly-it-s-good-enough-to-lock-up-in-a-drawer/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [One does not need to lock up that which is not dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-adornetto/one-does-not-need-to-lock-up-that-which-is-not-dangerous/) [Alexandra Adornetto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-adornetto/) > [When President Clinton starts talking about what is moral, as he did when recommending a national law banning human cloning, it's time for us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/when-president-clinton-starts-talking-about-what-is-moral-as-he-did/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) > [When I do comedy, my brain sort of locks up in the infinite possibilities. That's where I get sort of lost. I think, "Oh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/when-i-do-comedy-my-brain-sort-of-locks-up-in-the-infinite/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [One night she hid the pink cotton scarf from her raincoat in the pillowcase when the nurse came around to lock up her drawers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/one-night-she-hid-the-pink-cotton-scarf-from-her-raincoat-in-the/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [But I have learned a thing or two; I know as sure as fate, when we lock up our lives for wealth, the gold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-carleton/but-i-have-learned-a-thing-or-two-i-know-as-sure-as-fate-when-we-lock/) [Will Carleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-carleton/) > [As far as the hate, it makes me laugh. Everybody is a critic. Every critic I've ever had, they weren't wrestlers. Every wrestler I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-reigns/as-far-as-the-hate-it-makes-me-laugh-everybody-is-a-critic-every/) [Roman Reigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-reigns/) > [If you want a language that tries to lock up all the sharp objects and fire-making implements, use Pascal or Ada: the Nerf languages,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-fahlman/if-you-want-a-language-that-tries-to-lock-up-all-the-sharp-objects/) [Scott Fahlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-fahlman/) > [But you must still know to respect other people's faith.' 'Why? We don't respect any other delusion. We lock up people who believe they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arditti/but-you-must-still-know-to-respect-other-people-s-faith-why-we-don-t/) [Michael Arditti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arditti/) > [The Waters are Nature's storehouse in which she locks up her wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/the-waters-are-nature-s-storehouse-in-which-she-locks-up-her-wonders/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) ## More by Flora Thompson > [“When I am dead and in my head And all my bones are are rotten, Take this book and think of me And mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/when-i-am-dead-and-in-my-head-and-all-my-bones-are-are-rotten-take/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Special qualities are required of the essayist. A poem or a novel may spring from the inner consciousness of an author. Reasoning poers must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/special-qualities-are-required-of-the-essayist-a-poem-or-a-novel-may/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Any artwork needs time and patience and needs above a quiet mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/any-artwork-needs-time-and-patience-and-needs-above-a-quiet-mind/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Other days, other ways; and, although they have now been greatly improved upon, the old country midwives did at least succeed in bringing into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/other-days-other-ways-and-although-they-have-now-been-greatly/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [I do not compare the past with the present without a prejudice for either, but, great as the improvement in country life is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/i-do-not-compare-the-past-with-the-present-without-a-prejudice-for/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [No age can have everthing and in material ways ours is more fortunate than any preceding one. Our ancestors appear to have mastered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/no-age-can-have-everthing-and-in-material-ways-ours-is-more-fortunate/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [We cannot bring the good old days back but, if we must eat mass-made foods, get laws passed to insist upon its goodness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/we-cannot-bring-the-good-old-days-back-but-if-we-must-eat-mass-made/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [What greater restoratives have we poor mortals than a good meal taken in the company of loving friends?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/what-greater-restoratives-have-we-poor-mortals-than-a-good-meal-taken/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [So quiet and subtle is the beauty of December that escapes the notice of many people their whole lives through. Colour gives way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/so-quiet-and-subtle-is-the-beauty-of-december-that-escapes-the-notice/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [“No, I be-ant expectin' nothin', but I be so yarnin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/no-i-be-ant-expectin-nothin-but-i-be-so-yarnin/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Now, with the glamour of the past upon them we are inclined to look back on old world festivities with regret and consider present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/now-with-the-glamour-of-the-past-upon-them-we-are-inclined-to-look/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Strict honesty was the policy of most of them; although there were a few who were said to 'find anything before 'tis lost' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/strict-honesty-was-the-policy-of-most-of-them-although-there-were-a/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [The harvest-home or supper is a thing of the past. To those who feel the fascination of the past this may appear sad, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/the-harvest-home-or-supper-is-a-thing-of-the-past-to-those-who-feel/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [Alas! in nature, as in art, we gain only according to our capacity. You cannot put an ocean in a pint pot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/alas-in-nature-as-in-art-we-gain-only-according-to-our-capacity-you/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) > [It is the fashion to talk of our changing climate and bewail the hot summers and hard winters of tradition, but how seldom we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/it-is-the-fashion-to-talk-of-our-changing-climate-and-bewail-the-hot/) [Flora Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) [Explore all 37 Flora Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/) ## More Liar quotes > [I just speak the truth. I keep it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-vera/i-just-speak-the-truth-i-keep-it-real/) [Marlon Vera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-vera/) > [Everybody is always like, 'You must be a really good liar,' and no, I'm actually a truth teller, and I'm telling someone else's truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-sweeney/everybody-is-always-like-you-must-be-a-really-good-liar-and-no-i-m/) [Sydney Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-sweeney/) > [Even a liar tells a hundred truths to one lie; he has to, to make the lie good for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/even-a-liar-tells-a-hundred-truths-to-one-lie-he-has-to-to-make-the/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [A liar freely gives his oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-malloch/a-liar-freely-gives-his-oath/) [Douglas Malloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-malloch/) > [My whole life has been a lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-darin/my-whole-life-has-been-a-lie/) [Bobby Darin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-darin/) > [I think you are a liar because you think you know what is true. You think you feel what is true. But you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-croggon/i-think-you-are-a-liar-because-you-think-you-know-what-is-true-you/) [Alison Croggon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-croggon/) > [“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-world-is-not-fair-and-often-fools-cowards-liars-and-the-selfish/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I love country music because it's honest - and I'm a terrible liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-marlow/i-love-country-music-because-it-s-honest-and-i-m-a-terrible-liar/) [Maddie Marlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-marlow/) > [“I ripped the sketch from the wall. "Liar." Edward looked more ravaged than usual. "That is a terrible word, coming from you." "Yup." "And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/i-ripped-the-sketch-from-the-wall-liar-edward-looked-more-ravaged/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I wasn't sure which was worse - to know you were a liar or to believe your own bullshit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-cook/i-wasn-t-sure-which-was-worse-to-know-you-were-a-liar-or-to-believe/) [Eileen Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-cook/) > [I don't want to lie. Always, I want to be honest and I say,I don't think about tomorrow. I don't think about next season.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauricio-pochettino/i-don-t-want-to-lie-always-i-want-to-be-honest-and-i-say-i-don-t/) [Mauricio Pochettino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauricio-pochettino/) > [I can't lie. Even if they think I'm wrong. Even if they don't understand. Even if they think I'm crazy. I'm me. They're supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-lie-even-if-they-think-i-m-wrong-even-if-they-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's good; don't deny it. Denying the undeniable just makes you sound like a fool as well as a liar. In this profession, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/that-s-good-don-t-deny-it-denying-the-undeniable-just-makes-you-sound/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [And I, love, am a pathological liar,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/and-i-love-am-a-pathological-liar/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [Im starting to feel as though I should give up now to not risk what we have. keep silent what I want to speak.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaliyah-owens/im-starting-to-feel-as-though-i-should-give-up-now-to-not-risk-what/) [Aaliyah Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaliyah-owens/) [Browse all 1,187 Liar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Flora Thompson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can-t-from-a-liar/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Liar" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can-t-from-a-liar/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f3/flora-thompson-17380_liar_you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can_3078968.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can lock up from a thief, but you can't from a liar.” — Flora Thompson", "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": "Flora Thompson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flora-thompson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can lock up from a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can-t-from-a-liar/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-thompson/you-can-lock-up-from-a-thief-but-you-can-t-from-a-liar/#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 } } ] } ```