--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The whole concept of some stranger making…" description: "\"“The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our chimney - not that we had one - suggested burglary more readily than generosity. Any Santa ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/thomm-quackenbush-2029_burglar_the-whole-concept-of-some-stranger-makin_123852.jpg" --- # The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our… ![“The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our chimney - not that we had one - suggested burglary more readily than generosity. Any Santa who tried it would have gotten a bullet in his holly, jolly keister.” quote by Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/thomm-quackenbush-2029_burglar_the-whole-concept-of-some-stranger-makin_123852.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/thomm-quackenbush-2029_burglar_the-whole-concept-of-some-stranger-makin_123852.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/thomm-quackenbush-2029_burglar_the-whole-concept-of-some-stranger-makin_123852.jpg) > ““The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our chimney - not that we had one - suggested burglary more readily than generosity. Any Santa who tried it would have gotten a bullet in his holly, jolly keister.”” [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The idea of an unknown intruder in a non‑existent chimney feels more threatening than generous, highlighting our bias toward suspicion over kindness. **In simple terms:** Imagined threats seem more plausible than generosity. Key Takeaway Fear of the unknown outweighs belief in goodwill. Themes suspicion generosity imagination Mood wry cautionary Type satirical aphoristic When to use this quote - evaluating security concerns - judging strangers' motives Key Concepts cognitive bias paranoia Practical Applications - balance risk assessment with charitable assumptions - avoid jumping to negative conclusions Questions to Reflect On - Why do we default to suspicion in ambiguous situations? - How can we cultivate trust without being naive? A Different Perspective The metaphor may exaggerate fear, ignoring contexts where generosity is expected. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burglar/) [Burglary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burglary/) [Chimney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chimney/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Santa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/santa/) [Santa claus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/santa-claus/) ## Related quotes > [I'd like to start with the chimney jokes - I've got a stack of them. The first one is on the house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-vine/i-d-like-to-start-with-the-chimney-jokes-i-ve-got-a-stack-of-them-the/) [Tim Vine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-vine/) > [Someone has a great fire in his soul and nobody ever comes to warm themselves at it, and passers-by see nothing but a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/someone-has-a-great-fire-in-his-soul-and-nobody-ever-comes-to-warm/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [Every year, dads will dress up as Santa and try to surprise their kids by coming down the chimney, and every year, a dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-dunnigan/every-year-dads-will-dress-up-as-santa-and-try-to-surprise-their-kids/) [Kyle Dunnigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-dunnigan/) > [We climb up the chimney. We ain't ducking no smoke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ja-morant/we-climb-up-the-chimney-we-ain-t-ducking-no-smoke/) [Ja Morant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ja-morant/) > [Almost every labourer has his Sunday suit, very often really good clothes, sometimes glossy black, with the regulation 'chimney pot'. His unfortunate walk betrays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-jefferies/almost-every-labourer-has-his-sunday-suit-very-often-really-good/) [Richard Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-jefferies/) > [And so there would always be more to remember that could no longer be seen...our history is always returning to a little patch of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/and-so-there-would-always-be-more-to-remember-that-could-no-longer-be/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever come to sit by it. Passersby see only a wisp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/one-may-have-a-blazing-hearth-in-one-s-soul-and-yet-no-one-ever-come/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [“Choked Chimney I am a chimney which has been smoked. Out of breath and out of warmth. My air carries murky whispers and inky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iqra-iqbal/choked-chimney-i-am-a-chimney-which-has-been-smoked-out-of-breath-and/) [Iqra Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iqra-iqbal/) > [Golden lads and girls all must as chimney sweepers come to dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/golden-lads-and-girls-all-must-as-chimney-sweepers-come-to-dust/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Where you thinke there is bacon, there is no Chimney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/where-you-thinke-there-is-bacon-there-is-no-chimney/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [There's no way the new chimney will fall down, Lu. Not with you in charge. It wouldn't dare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-sage/there-s-no-way-the-new-chimney-will-fall-down-lu-not-with-you-in/) [Angie Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-sage/) > [A seventeenth-century house can be recognized by its steep roof, massive central chimney and utter porchlessness. Some of those houses have a second-story overhang,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/a-seventeenth-century-house-can-be-recognized-by-its-steep-roof/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [“I am a chimney which has been smoked. Out of breath and out of warmth. My air carries murky whispers and inky phantoms. Loneliness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iqra-iqbal/i-am-a-chimney-which-has-been-smoked-out-of-breath-and-out-of-warmth/) [Iqra Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iqra-iqbal/) > [I dont have to look to see. Today its all so clear. Chimney tops start to glow and thats when I will disappear...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-elektricity/i-dont-have-to-look-to-see-today-its-all-so-clear-chimney-tops-start/) [London Elektricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-elektricity/) > [Make the doors upon a woman's wit, and it will out at the casement; shut that, and 'twill out at the key-hole; stop that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/make-the-doors-upon-a-woman-s-wit-and-it-will-out-at-the-casement/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Thomm Quackenbush > [“Which God is the forgiving one, exactly? Old Testament, where He got His rocks off by smiting? Or New Testament, once Our Heavenly Father…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/which-god-is-the-forgiving-one-exactly-old-testament-where-he-got-his/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“As a man, I was a failure. A pathetic teacher lusting after Catholic school girls in short skirts. As a monster, I'm superb. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/as-a-man-i-was-a-failure-a-pathetic-teacher-lusting-after-catholic/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [ “Maybe \[aliens\] have been in our lives a lot longer than we want to admit. People have always seen strange things—elves and fairies—and now… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/maybe-aliens-have-been-in-our-lives-a-lot-longer-than-we-want-to/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“The seed of an urban legend finding fertile soil at the corner of tragedy and imagination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/the-seed-of-an-urban-legend-finding-fertile-soil-at-the-corner-of/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“There was a charm in being reborn into the world when one was old enough to appreciate it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/there-was-a-charm-in-being-reborn-into-the-world-when-one-was-old/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“She hated anyone who clung to the supernatural when the natural was perfectly serviceable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/she-hated-anyone-who-clung-to-the-supernatural-when-the-natural-was/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“Do you want me because you love me or because I provide you normality drag?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/do-you-want-me-because-you-love-me-or-because-i-provide-you-normality/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“You got a vicious animal inside you. It wants to snap, it wants to attack, but it's harmless because some woman fitted a muzzle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/you-got-a-vicious-animal-inside-you-it-wants-to-snap-it-wants-to/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“He had not even done the fledgling courtesy of shredding open a major artery, anointing himself in the viscous gore, and desecrating her body.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/he-had-not-even-done-the-fledgling-courtesy-of-shredding-open-a-major/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [ “\[T\]hese friends were of the female persuasion, and while by and large they were bi and large, they still represented potential threats on \[her\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/t-hese-friends-were-of-the-female-persuasion-and-while-by-and-large/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“She kissed him… long enough he could almost hear her thoughts. Long enough that he began to know her story, know what she had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/she-kissed-him-long-enough-he-could-almost-hear-her-thoughts-long/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“Shane never knew how to address her friends' parents. She wanted to call her Mrs. Eliot's Mom, but knew that the cutesiness would not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/shane-never-knew-how-to-address-her-friends-parents-she-wanted-to/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“It’s hard to stay upset over someone else’s happy ending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/it-s-hard-to-stay-upset-over-someone-else-s-happy-ending/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“I don't think I'm being harassed by little green stalkers. I don't know what's really going on, but I'd rather try to eliminate all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/i-don-t-think-i-m-being-harassed-by-little-green-stalkers-i-don-t/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) > [“The demons are not easily dispatched, instead attaching themselves to otherwise beautiful things, a favorite food or a love note left for you, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/the-demons-are-not-easily-dispatched-instead-attaching-themselves-to/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) [Explore all 190 Thomm Quackenbush quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) ## 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/) > [“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/) > [It is the first time the burglar has been appointed as caretaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gough-whitlam/it-is-the-first-time-the-burglar-has-been-appointed-as-caretaker/) [Gough Whitlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gough-whitlam/) > [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/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The whole concept of some stranger making his way down our chimney - not that we had one - suggested burglary more readily than generosity. 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