--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was an opportunist and got away with…" description: "\"I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.\" — Frank Abagnale" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg" --- # I was an opportunist and got away with things because I… ![“I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.” quote by Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg) > “I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.” [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A youthful opportunist faced prison, then transformed his life after release. **In simple terms:** He changed after serving time. Key Takeaway Redemption is possible after mistakes. Themes redemption personal growth second chances Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational realistic When to use this quote - post‑incarceration career change - public speaking - mentorship - community service Key Concepts self‑reformation responsibility rehabilitation Questions to Reflect On - What steps did you take to rebuild trust? - How can society better support reintegration? A Different Perspective Success requires ongoing effort and support, not just a single turning point. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) ## Related quotes > [Most people are fascinated by what I did as a teenager, but when I look back at my life, I don't think very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/most-people-are-fascinated-by-what-i-did-as-a-teenager-but-when-i/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [“I have lived my life in pursuit of the remade world... I believe in truth. I believe in truth denied any use of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/i-have-lived-my-life-in-pursuit-of-the-remade-world-i-believe-in/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [“This is where his life - his remade life - has brought him. Each strange juncture has led to the next and now he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams-2/this-is-where-his-life-his-remade-life-has-brought-him-each-strange/) [J.J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams-2/) > [I claimed myself and remade my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/i-claimed-myself-and-remade-my-life/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Women lose their lives not knowing they can do something different...I claimed myself and remade my life. Only when I knew I belonged to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/women-lose-their-lives-not-knowing-they-can-do-something-different-i/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-i-was-hungry-and-you-gave-me-food-i-was-thirsty-and-you-gave-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Newton: but a lot of the guys here were in prison before they came here and they’ll still be in prison when they leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bates/newton-but-a-lot-of-the-guys-here-were-in-prison-before-they-came/) [Laura Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bates/) > [“...kneel down, kneel down- kneel round her every one of you, and mark my words. I say she starved to death. I never knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/kneel-down-kneel-down-kneel-round-her-every-one-of-you-and-mark-my/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-goodwin/for-i-was-hungry-and-you-gave-me-something-to-eat-i-was-thirsty-and/) [Mark Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-goodwin/) > [For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/for-i-was-hungry-and-you-gave-me-food-i-was-thirsty-and-you-gave-me-2/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“Joseph went from prison to prime minister from trials to triumph, from scar-weary to stardom - So you can”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikechukwu-joseph/joseph-went-from-prison-to-prime-minister-from-trials-to-triumph-from/) [Ikechukwu Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikechukwu-joseph/) > [I couldn't get on a 'Source' cover 'til I went to prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pimp-c/i-couldn-t-get-on-a-source-cover-til-i-went-to-prison/) [Pimp C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pimp-c/) > [I went to live with my grandparents when my parents threw me out. Then I went to prison at the age of 17, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bez/i-went-to-live-with-my-grandparents-when-my-parents-threw-me-out-then/) [Bez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bez/) > [When I first went to prison, I was even questioning where, God, where are you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-bakker/when-i-first-went-to-prison-i-was-even-questioning-where-god-where/) [Jim Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-bakker/) > [I went down to the prison in Menard, thinking we were the vanguard, but down there, I got down on my knees and listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-hampton/i-went-down-to-the-prison-in-menard-thinking-we-were-the-vanguard-but/) [Fred Hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-hampton/) ## More by Frank Abagnale > [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [It's amazing to me that we live in such a wonderful country where anyone can have a problem in life and get up, dust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/it-s-amazing-to-me-that-we-live-in-such-a-wonderful-country-where/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [I live a much better life without having to worry about people chasing me. I spent five years in prison from 21 to 26,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-live-a-much-better-life-without-having-to-worry-about-people/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [Technology breeds crime and we are constantly trying to develop technology to stay one step ahead of the person trying to use it negatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/technology-breeds-crime-and-we-are-constantly-trying-to-develop/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [The front of a cheque alone gives someone enough information to steal your identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/the-front-of-a-cheque-alone-gives-someone-enough-information-to-steal/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [I look at my life today at 69 and I think about all the things that have happened after all my imprisonment. We truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-look-at-my-life-today-at-69-and-i-think-about-all-the-things-that/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [Why do the Yankees always win? The other team can't stop looking at the pinstripes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/why-do-the-yankees-always-win-the-other-team-can-t-stop-looking-at/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [I was always in the right place at the right time, always willing to take advantage of an opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-was-always-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time-always-willing-to/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [If my forgeries looked as bad as the CBS documents, it would have been 'Catch Me In Two Days'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/if-my-forgeries-looked-as-bad-as-the-cbs-documents-it-would-have-been/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [If you believe you have a foolproof system, you've failed to take into consideration the creativity of fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/if-you-believe-you-have-a-foolproof-system-you-ve-failed-to-take-into/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [When 'Catch Me If You Can' was published back in 1980, I never dreamed that it would become a bestseller, much less a major…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-catch-me-if-you-can-was-published-back-in-1980-i-never-dreamed/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [What I did in my youth is hundreds of times easier today. Technology breeds crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/what-i-did-in-my-youth-is-hundreds-of-times-easier-today-technology/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [My proudest moment was probably when my oldest boy finished law school and went on to become an FBI agent. It was just beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/my-proudest-moment-was-probably-when-my-oldest-boy-finished-law/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [Dear dad, you always told me that an honest man has nothing to fear, so I'm trying my best not to be afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/dear-dad-you-always-told-me-that-an-honest-man-has-nothing-to-fear-so/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) > [Im a true believer that you have a moral obligation to keep your employees honest, and that is why you have controls, so Im…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/im-a-true-believer-that-you-have-a-moral-obligation-to-keep-your/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Explore all 37 Frank Abagnale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) ## More Away quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to \[when I started my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-powell/i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s-one-reason-why-i-don-t-work/) [Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-powell/) > [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [You just say the word, and I'll make the rest of the world go away. I'll take you someplace safe, where no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/you-just-say-the-word-and-i-ll-make-the-rest-of-the-world-go-away-i/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Who wants a stylus. You have to get em and put em away, and you lose em. Yuck. Nobody wants a stylus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/who-wants-a-stylus-you-have-to-get-em-and-put-em-away-and-you-lose-em/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Beauty fades away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/beauty-fades-away/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't kind of take away, you either do or you don't. If you kind of take away something you're a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-guare/you-can-t-kind-of-take-away-you-either-do-or-you-don-t-if-you-kind-of/) [John Guare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-guare/) > [We never think that our mothers will die. It was like suddenly an abyss opened at my feet - I was standing on nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/we-never-think-that-our-mothers-will-die-it-was-like-suddenly-an/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [We all have time away from football to get our head down. At the same time it is a very busy schedule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/we-all-have-time-away-from-football-to-get-our-head-down-at-the-same/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [If you take away the predators in the prairies and the national parks, you suddenly have an explosion of elk, and then you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/if-you-take-away-the-predators-in-the-prairies-and-the-national-parks/) [Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/) > [“Please don't go away. You--you matter. To me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/please-don-t-go-away-you-you-matter-to-me/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Our world is drowning in a sea of self-centeredness. You can make yourself quite unique right away by leaving this ocean of selfishness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/our-world-is-drowning-in-a-sea-of-self-centeredness-you-can-make/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [“Why is it," she asked, snuggling closer, "that I so often imagine myself running away and running free?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/why-is-it-she-asked-snuggling-closer-that-i-so-often-imagine-myself/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) Browse all 4,933 Away quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out and remade my life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frank Abagnale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-things-because-i-was-very/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Away" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-things-because-i-was-very/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/frank-abagnale-17255_away_i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-t_335094.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was an opportunist and got away with things because I was very young, but I went to prison and came out…” — Frank Abagnale", "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": "Frank Abagnale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was an opportunist and got...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-things-because-i-was-very/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/i-was-an-opportunist-and-got-away-with-things-because-i-was-very/#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 } } ] } ```