Context

This line is written by Peter in 2 Peter 3:10.

Peter is writing in his second general epistle about the day when Jesus will come to earth again. It will sneak up on us, like a thief creeping through the night.

So basically we won't be expecting it.

Where you've heard it

Although Peter was talking about the Second Coming of Jesus, you could hear this anytime someone's being super sneaky. "Balthazar took the last truffle like a thief in the night. I never even saw it coming."

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Over-the-top enough to neutralize its pretentiousness.