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About this quote

What does it mean?
Telling someone your secrets gives them power over you.
In plain terms
Sharing secrets makes you less free.
What can you take from it?
Keep secrets to keep your freedom.

Where it applies

  • dealing with gossip
  • making confidants
  • managing information

Putting it to work

  • limit disclosures
  • choose carefully
  • keep private

Questions to consider

  • How many secrets do you need to keep?
  • When is it safe to share?

Another view

Trust is necessary for deep relationships.

More from James Howell

  1. Affection is blind reason.

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  2. There's fence against all things except death.

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  3. Neither go to a wedding nor a christening unbid.

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