Talkers and futile persons are commonly vain and credulous withal, for he that talketh what he knoweth will also talk what he knoweth not; therefore set it down that a habit of secrecy is both politic and moral.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
How can we expect another to keep our secret if we cannot keep it ourselves?
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Thou hast betrayed thy secret as a bird betrays her nest, by striving to conceal it.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Secrets are so seldom kept, that it may be with some reason doubted, whether the quality of retention be generally bestowed, and whether a secret has not some subtile volatility by which it escapes imperceptibility, at the smallest vent, or some power of fermentation, by which it expands itself, so as to burst the heart that will not give it way.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
A secret in his mouth is like a wild bird put into a cage; whose door no sooner opens, but it is out.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
If a fool knows a secret, he tells it because he is a fool: if a knave knows one, he tells it whenever it is his interest to tell it. But women and young men are very apt to tell what secrets they know, from the vanity of having been trusted. Trust none of these whenever you can help it.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
A resolution that is communicated is no longer within thy power; thy intentions become now the plaything of chance; he who would have his commands certainly carried out must take men by surprise.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The truly wise man should have no keeper of his secret but himself.
—Francois Guizot (1787–1874) French Statesman, Historian, Orator
What thou seest speak of with caution.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
He was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that, being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Secrecy is for the happy; misery, hopeless misery needs no veil; under a thousand suns it dares act openly.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Conceal thy domestic ills.
—Thales of Miletus (c.624–c.545 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
‘Tis in my memory locked, and you yourself shall keep the key of it.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Secrecy is the chastity of friendship.
—Jeremy Taylor
Secrecy has been well termed the soul of all great designs. Perhaps more has been effected by concealing our own intentions, than by discovering those of our enemy. But great men succeed in both.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Fire that is closest kept burns most of all.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
He who trusts secrets to a servant makes him his master.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Trust him not with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
To tell our own secrets is generally folly, but that folly is without guilt; to communicate those with which we are intrusted is always treachery, and treachery for the most part combined with folly.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
He that discovers himself till he hath made himself master of his desires, lays himself open to his own ruin, and makes himself a prisoner to his own tongue.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
What is mine, even to my life, is hers I love; but the secret of my friend is not mine.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
People addicted to secrecy are so without knowing why; they are not so for cause, but for secrecy’s sake.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Two may keep counsel, putting one away.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A proper secrecy is the only mystery of able men; mystery is the only secrecy of weak and cunning ones.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
He deserves small trust who is not privy counsellor to himself.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Secrets with girls, like guns with boys, are never valued till they make a noise.
—George Crabbe
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