---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the first time the burglar has been…"
description: "\"It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.\" — Gough Whitlam"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/gough-whitlam-22463_burglar_it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-bee_484595.jpg"
---

#  It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as…

![“It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.” quote by Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/gough-whitlam-22463_burglar_it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-bee_484595.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/gough-whitlam-22463_burglar_it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-bee_484595.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/882/gough-whitlam-22463_burglar_it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-bee_484595.jpg)

> “It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.”

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

## About This Quote

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

Power can be given to unexpected people, revealing absurdities in authority.

**In simple terms:** A burglar becomes caretaker.

Key Takeaway

Question who holds power.

Themes

politics irony authority

Mood

skeptical critical

Type

satirical political

When to use this quote

- government oversight
- organizational leadership
- public trust
- accountability

Key Concepts

power dynamics role reversal

Questions to Reflect On

- What does this say about trust in institutions?
- How can we prevent misuse of authority?

A Different Perspective

May be hyperbolic, not literal.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Burglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burglar/) [Caretaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caretaker/) [Caretakers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caretakers/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [Being a caretaker is, and never will be, an easy job; in fact, it is that hardest job in the world and many times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/being-a-caretaker-is-and-never-will-be-an-easy-job-in-fact-it-is-that/)

[Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/)

> [Lily, the caretaker's daughter, was literally run off her feet. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry behind the office on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/lily-the-caretaker-s-daughter-was-literally-run-off-her-feet-hardly/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [Isolation of the caretaker role is a real danger. That way lies sadness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-noxon/isolation-of-the-caretaker-role-is-a-real-danger-that-way-lies-sadness/)

[Christopher Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-noxon/)

> [The caretaker needs to be taken care of, in wages and benefits. Not enough emphasis is put on the importance of these caretakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-urmston/the-caretaker-needs-to-be-taken-care-of-in-wages-and-benefits-not/)

[Chad Urmston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-urmston/)

> [The irresponsible mother helped explain bella's maturity. She'd had to grow up early, to become the caretaker. That's why she didn't like being cared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/the-irresponsible-mother-helped-explain-bella-s-maturity-she-d-had-to/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

> [“Does 'submissive' mean 'baby' in your language, Master Mason? Because I'll have you know ----… "No, but Dominant does mean lover, caretaker, disciplinarian, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-sommerland/does-submissive-mean-baby-in-your-language-master-mason-because-i-ll/)

[Bianca Sommerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-sommerland/)

> [“Everyone expected Emily to take care and take charge. It had always been this way. When her mother was sick, she'd filled out her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/everyone-expected-emily-to-take-care-and-take-charge-it-had-always/)

[Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/)

> [I worked under a lot of 'top-class managers at Spurs and had to take over as 'caretaker a couple of times when things were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hughton/i-worked-under-a-lot-of-top-class-managers-at-spurs-and-had-to-take/)

[Chris Hughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hughton/)

> [“Life is too short for you to be the caretaker of the wrong details.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-stoddard/life-is-too-short-for-you-to-be-the-caretaker-of-the-wrong-details/)

[Alexandra Stoddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-stoddard/)

> [I have never been afraid of being in charge, whether I have been coach, manager or caretaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hughton/i-have-never-been-afraid-of-being-in-charge-whether-i-have-been-coach/)

[Chris Hughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hughton/)

> [I'm such a caretaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-lourd/i-m-such-a-caretaker/)

[Billie Lourd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-lourd/)

> [If you're a caretaker, who are you when there's no one else to take care of?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccormack/if-you-re-a-caretaker-who-are-you-when-there-s-no-one-else-to-take/)

[Mary McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccormack/)

> [Being a caretaker for someone who's dying was really, really hard at 25.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/being-a-caretaker-for-someone-who-s-dying-was-really-really-hard-at-25/)

[Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/)

> [“Whether our caretaker was our mom, dad, uncle, aunt, grandparent, foster parent, or sibling, our blueprint of what a relationship is supposed to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-crockett/whether-our-caretaker-was-our-mom-dad-uncle-aunt-grandparent-foster/)

[Kristen Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-crockett/)

> [I've always been a caretaker; I think a lot of women are. We take care of everybody else first, and very rarely do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jada-pinkett-smith/i-ve-always-been-a-caretaker-i-think-a-lot-of-women-are-we-take-care/)

[Jada Pinkett Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jada-pinkett-smith/)

## More by Gough Whitlam

> [Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste. We are all diminished when any of us are denied proper education. The nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/poverty-is-a-national-waste-as-well-as-individual-waste-we-are-all/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/a-conservative-government-survives-essentially-by-dampening/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [An education system where student selection is based on credit capacity and not merit capacity and where graduating students are no longer indebted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/an-education-system-where-student-selection-is-based-on-credit/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say 'God Save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General. The proclamation you have just heard was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/ladies-and-gentlemen-well-may-we-say-god-save-the-queen-because/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [I've never said I'm immortal. I do believe in correct language. I'm eternal; I'm not immortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-ve-never-said-i-m-immortal-i-do-believe-in-correct-language-i-m/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [I was profoundly embarrassed by it (the White Australia Policy) and did all I could to change it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-was-profoundly-embarrassed-by-it-the-white-australia-policy-and-did/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Well may we say 'God save the Queen', because nothing will save the Governor-General'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/well-may-we-say-god-save-the-queen-because-nothing-will-save-the/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/vincent-lingiari-i-solemnly-hand-to-you-these-deeds-as-proof-in/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> […he reveals that he has been a poor politician, a bad judge and a malevolent individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/he-reveals-that-he-has-been-a-poor-politician-a-bad-judge-and-a/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [I'm the only P.M. of which that can be said - 'His legislation was never declared invalid in the High Court.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/i-m-the-only-p-m-of-which-that-can-be-said-his-legislation-was-never/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Dying will happen sometime. As you know, I plan for the ages, not just for this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/dying-will-happen-sometime-as-you-know-i-plan-for-the-ages-not-just/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Maintain your rage and enthusiasm for the campaign for the election now to be held and until polling day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/maintain-your-rage-and-enthusiasm-for-the-campaign-for-the-election/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Men and women of western Sydney, it's appropriate, you apparently believe, that Australia's oldest surviving Prime Minister should make the concluding remarks in Australia's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/men-and-women-of-western-sydney-it-s-appropriate-you-apparently/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [She was a remarkable person and the love of my life. We were married for almost 70 years. She encouraged and sustained me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/she-was-a-remarkable-person-and-the-love-of-my-life-we-were-married/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

> [Australia's treatment of her Aboriginal people will be the thing on which the world will judge Australia and Australians - Not just now, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/australia-s-treatment-of-her-aboriginal-people-will-be-the-thing-on/)

[Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

[Explore all 27 Gough Whitlam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/)

## More Burglar quotes

> [“I have chosen Mr Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/i-have-chosen-mr-baggins-and-that-ought-to-be-enough-for-all-of-you/)

[J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/)

> [I have an unconscious burglar living in my mind: If I read something, it's mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/i-have-an-unconscious-burglar-living-in-my-mind-if-i-read-something/)

[David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/)

> [Modern man threw a brick through his own window in order to sell himself a burglar alarm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-carr/modern-man-threw-a-brick-through-his-own-window-in-order-to-sell/)

[Allen Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-carr/)

> [“The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our chimney - not that we had one - suggested burglary more readily than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/the-whole-concept-of-some-stranger-making-his-way-down-our-chimney/)

[Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/)

> [“There should be a soundtrack playing for me as I walk down the street... And for what I'm about to do, cosplay is for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-r-wilder/there-should-be-a-soundtrack-playing-for-me-as-i-walk-down-the-street/)

S.R. Wilder

> [Things aren't right. If a burglar breaks into your home and you shoot him, he can sue you. For what, restraint of trade?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/things-aren-t-right-if-a-burglar-breaks-into-your-home-and-you-shoot/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [Crime in the cities is very discouraging. Apartment house dwellers have locks, bolts, chains and bars on their doors. It takes a tenant longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/crime-in-the-cities-is-very-discouraging-apartment-house-dwellers/)

[Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/)

> [If you're a burglar, it's no good waiting about outside somebody's house, looking good with your swag bag ready. Just get in there, burgle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holloway/if-you-re-a-burglar-it-s-no-good-waiting-about-outside-somebody-s/)

[Ian Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holloway/)

> [“Gya!! Stay away from me, weirdo! I'll press the burglar alarm!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peach-pit/gya-stay-away-from-me-weirdo-i-ll-press-the-burglar-alarm/)

[Peach-Pit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peach-pit/)

> [The faults of the burglar are the qualities of the financier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/the-faults-of-the-burglar-are-the-qualities-of-the-financier/)

[George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/)

> [If I heard a noise at night, I'd think there was a burglar sneaking around; the first thing I'd do was check on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/if-i-heard-a-noise-at-night-i-d-think-there-was-a-burglar-sneaking/)

[Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/)

> [Doctor, Doctor I'm a burglar! Have you taken anything for it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/doctor-doctor-i-m-a-burglar-have-you-taken-anything-for-it/)

[Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/)

> [“Margo?" came Mom's voice from the kitchen. "Honey, is that you?" I rolled my eyes. "No, it's a burglar. I've come to steal all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-ribar/margo-came-mom-s-voice-from-the-kitchen-honey-is-that-you-i-rolled-my/)

[Lindsay Ribar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-ribar/)

> [Owners who buy aggressive dogs for security may be kidding themselves: The chances that the victim of a fatal dog attack will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-katz/owners-who-buy-aggressive-dogs-for-security-may-be-kidding-themselves/)

[Jon Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-katz/)

> [“I am like a burglar that can't get away, but must go on miserably burgling the same house day after day. —Bilbo Baggins”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/i-am-like-a-burglar-that-can-t-get-away-but-must-go-on-miserably/)

[J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/)

[Browse all 39 Burglar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burglar/)

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