--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am a thief of knowledge, and in a…" description: "\"I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.\" — Philippe Petit" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg" --- # I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to… ![“I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.” quote by Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg) > “I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.” [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker claims that learning by solving problems is a pragmatic way to acquire knowledge, even if it feels like theft. **In simple terms:** Learning by solving problems is practical knowledge acquisition. Key Takeaway Embrace problem‑solving as learning. Themes learning pragmatism self‑directed education Mood curious determined inspired Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - Academic research - software development - entrepreneurship - daily life challenges Key Concepts Problem‑solving experiential learning knowledge acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What problems have you solved to learn? - How do you balance breadth and depth? A Different Perspective May overlook depth of understanding in complex fields. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Thief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thief/) ## Related quotes > [We can’t solve problems for others. We can introduce them to the Lord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/we-can-t-solve-problems-for-others-we-can-introduce-them-to-the-lord/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [That's all it took to solve problems - just sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-paulsen/that-s-all-it-took-to-solve-problems-just-sense/) [Gary Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-paulsen/) > [Just enough'll solve your problems too much'll kill ya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/just-enough-ll-solve-your-problems-too-much-ll-kill-ya/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [I was just taught very early that if I didn't solve problems, I was headed for a very dark path. Problems were everywhere. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homaro-cantu/i-was-just-taught-very-early-that-if-i-didn-t-solve-problems-i-was/) [Homaro Cantu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homaro-cantu/) > [Dear Math, I can't solve your problems, I got mine to solve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-math-i-can-t-solve-your-problems-i-got-mine-to-solve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I must have assistants who will solve their own problems and tell me later what they've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-marshall/i-must-have-assistants-who-will-solve-their-own-problems-and-tell-me/) [George C. Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-marshall/) > [Sometimes we have to go deep inside ourselves to solve our problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-star/sometimes-we-have-to-go-deep-inside-ourselves-to-solve-our-problems/) [Patrick Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-star/) > [Don't solve problems. Pursue opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/don-t-solve-problems-pursue-opportunities/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Art does not solve problems but makes us aware of their existence. It opens our eyes to see and our brain to imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-abakanowicz/art-does-not-solve-problems-but-makes-us-aware-of-their-existence-it/) [Magdalena Abakanowicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-abakanowicz/) > [Electronic calculators can solve problems which the man who made them cannot solve; but no government subsidised commission of engineers and physicists could create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/electronic-calculators-can-solve-problems-which-the-man-who-made-them/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [The computer was born to solve problems that did not exist before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-computer-was-born-to-solve-problems-that-did-not-exist-before/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [A real desire to believe all the good you can of others and to make others as comfortable as you can will solve most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-real-desire-to-believe-all-the-good-you-can-of-others-and-to-make/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [As we raise ourselves in the spiritual consciousness, we are better able to solve the problems of life. We are happy. We are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/as-we-raise-ourselves-in-the-spiritual-consciousness-we-are-better/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [The point is to solve problems, not point fingers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-harman/the-point-is-to-solve-problems-not-point-fingers/) [Jane Harman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-harman/) > [Give life long enough and it will solve all your problems, including the one of being alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/give-life-long-enough-and-it-will-solve-all-your-problems-including/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) ## More by Philippe Petit > [If I look at the performance of another friend Sting, whenever I hear him take over a stage and share his art with millions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/if-i-look-at-the-performance-of-another-friend-sting-whenever-i-hear/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I am a wire-walker. I can walk any time, anywhere - I'm indestructible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-wire-walker-i-can-walk-any-time-anywhere-i-m-indestructible/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I have been performing in the street for more than 50 years: magic for basically 60 years, and the high wire 45 years. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-have-been-performing-in-the-street-for-more-than-50-years-magic-for/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I needed more knowledge in rigging and knotting. I started collecting books on knots and really learning more and more. That's how it started.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-needed-more-knowledge-in-rigging-and-knotting-i-started-collecting/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [To be able to create fully, it's maybe fine that you learn the rules, but you have to forget and to rebel against those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/to-be-able-to-create-fully-it-s-maybe-fine-that-you-learn-the-rules/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [When a loved one disappears, you continue to live with the accompaniment of that person. One has to find a balance between joy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/when-a-loved-one-disappears-you-continue-to-live-with-the/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [You must not fall. / When you lose your balance, resist for a long time before turning yourself toward the earth. Then jump. /…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/you-must-not-fall-when-you-lose-your-balance-resist-for-a-long-time/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [When I was six years old, I fell in love with magic. For Christmas, I got a magic box and a very old book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/when-i-was-six-years-old-i-fell-in-love-with-magic-for-christmas-i/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I don't like to risk my life, so I prepare sometimes for months or sometimes for years. But sometimes after a walk, I look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-don-t-like-to-risk-my-life-so-i-prepare-sometimes-for-months-or/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [When I perform outside, the major problem that could arise is strong wind.I spend months preparing for the types of wind that occur in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/when-i-perform-outside-the-major-problem-that-could-arise-is-strong/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [If I have to make a self-portrait, I would put poetry and rebellion on the list. To be able to walk on a wire,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/if-i-have-to-make-a-self-portrait-i-would-put-poetry-and-rebellion-on/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [Whenever other worlds invite us, whenever we are balancing on the boundaries of our limited human condition, that’s where life starts, that’s where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/whenever-other-worlds-invite-us-whenever-we-are-balancing-on-the/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I have walked many times around the world and each time it's different from the last one. It feels a little bit like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-have-walked-many-times-around-the-world-and-each-time-it-s/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [Metaphorically speaking, of course, if I put a problem behind my pillow and fall asleep, very often because my brain went to sleep with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/metaphorically-speaking-of-course-if-i-put-a-problem-behind-my-pillow/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I was never part of the sailing circle, but I enjoy when I'm invited to sail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-was-never-part-of-the-sailing-circle-but-i-enjoy-when-i-m-invited/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) [Explore all 124 Philippe Petit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [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 > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Philippe Petit" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survival-way-i-had-to-solve-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Am" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survival-way-i-had-to-solve-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c80/philippe-petit-3697_am_i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survi_320249.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am a thief of knowledge, and in a survival way, I had to solve all the problems around me.” — Philippe Petit", "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": "Philippe Petit", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am a thief of knowledge,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survival-way-i-had-to-solve-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-am-a-thief-of-knowledge-and-in-a-survival-way-i-had-to-solve-all/#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 } } ] } ```