--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are all thieves; we are all thieves…" description: "\"We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them in ourselves.\" — Margaret Fell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg" --- # We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the… ![“We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them in ourselves.” quote by Margaret Fell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg) > “We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them in ourselves.” Margaret Fell ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We claim knowledge of sacred texts but fail to internalize their teachings, living superficially. **In simple terms:** Knowing words without inner understanding is empty. Key Takeaway Seek personal transformation, not just intellectual grasp. Themes spirituality self‑knowledge hypocrisy Mood reflective serious Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal meditation - ethical decision‑making - religious study - teaching others Key Concepts Quakerism scriptural interpretation Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody the teachings you study? - What practices deepen inner understanding? A Different Perspective Words alone cannot change the heart. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Scriptures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scriptures/) [Thieves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thieves/) ## Related quotes > [Scrutamini scripturas (Let us look at the scriptures). These two words have undone the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/scrutamini-scripturas-let-us-look-at-the-scriptures-these-two-words/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [“The Holy Scriptures are words taught by the Spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-scriptures-are-words-taught-by-the-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“But how came you by the heirloom of my house—if there is need to ask such a question of thieves?” “We are not thieves,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/but-how-came-you-by-the-heirloom-of-my-house-if-there-is-need-to-ask/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [Gautam Buddha used to say, You should be like a house which has light inside. When the house, its doors, its windows, are showing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/gautam-buddha-used-to-say-you-should-be-like-a-house-which-has-light/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [If you're not confident in the authority of the Scriptures, you will be a slave to what sounds right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/if-you-re-not-confident-in-the-authority-of-the-scriptures-you-will/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [Some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-stevens/some-extremists-take-elements-of-the-sacred-scriptures-out-of-context/) [Cat Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-stevens/) > [“The Holy Scripture speaks life into our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-holy-scripture-speaks-life-into-our-lives/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Loud speech, profusion of words, and possessing skillfulness in expounding scriptures are merely for the enjoyment of the learned. They do not lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adi-shankara/loud-speech-profusion-of-words-and-possessing-skillfulness-in/) [Adi Shankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adi-shankara/) > [According to scriptures at least I know the Bible states not to make any permanent marks on your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/according-to-scriptures-at-least-i-know-the-bible-states-not-to-make/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [Newspapers today have almost replaced the Bible, the Koran, the Gita and other religious scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/newspapers-today-have-almost-replaced-the-bible-the-koran-the-gita/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/no-man-without-trials-and-temptations-can-attain-a-true-understanding/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can’t be gained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-r-mcconkie/i-think-that-people-who-study-the-scriptures-get-a-dimension-to-their/) [Bruce R. McConkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-r-mcconkie/) > [In regard to the divine and holy mysteries of the faith, not the least part may be handed on without the Holy Scriptures. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-of-jerusalem/in-regard-to-the-divine-and-holy-mysteries-of-the-faith-not-the-least/) [Cyril of Jerusalem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-of-jerusalem/) > [“It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/it-is-certain-that-one-who-studies-the-scriptures-every-day/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [“No knowledge comes from the outside world or an imaginary supernatural paradise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/no-knowledge-comes-from-the-outside-world-or-an-imaginary/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Margaret Fell > [And if you love the light, then you come to the light to be proved, and tried whether your works be wrought in God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/and-if-you-love-the-light-then-you-come-to-the-light-to-be-proved-and/) Margaret Fell > [God hath put no such difference between the Male and Female as man would make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/god-hath-put-no-such-difference-between-the-male-and-female-as-man/) Margaret Fell > [Now, Friends, deal plainly with yourselves, and let the eternal Light search you, and try you, for the good of your souls. For this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/now-friends-deal-plainly-with-yourselves-and-let-the-eternal-light/) Margaret Fell Explore all 4 Margaret Fell quotes ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) Michael Arnold > [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/) [Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/) > [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/) Robert A. Peterson > [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/) Stephen Taylor > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) Walsham How > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them in ourselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret Fell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we-have-taken-the-scriptures-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bible" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we-have-taken-the-scriptures-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/margaret-fell-68578_bible_we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we_852314.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are all thieves; we are all thieves; we have taken the scriptures in words, and know nothing of them in…” — Margaret Fell", "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": "Margaret Fell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are all thieves; we are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we-have-taken-the-scriptures-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fell/we-are-all-thieves-we-are-all-thieves-we-have-taken-the-scriptures-in/#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 } } ] } ```