It's safe to tell a secret to one. Risky to tell it to…
“It's safe to tell a secret to one. Risky to tell it to two. To tell it to three is thoughtless folly, everyone else will know.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Confidential information is safer with a single keeper; sharing with more quickly exponentially raises the risk of exposure.
In simple terms: Secrecy erodes with each additional confidant.
Key Takeaway
Limit disclosure to protect information.
Themes
secrecy
risk
trust
communication
information security
Mood
cautious
pragmatic
Type
advice
proverb
When to use this quote
- corporate whistleblowing
- personal gossip
- military intel handling
- family secrets
Key Concepts
confidentiality dynamics
social trust
Practical Applications
- designing secure communication protocols
- training on need‑to‑know principles
Questions to Reflect On
- When does sharing become necessary despite risk?
- How do you assess trustworthiness before confiding?