Kept secrets Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“There are no secrets better kept than the secrets everybody guesses.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Man and Superman, 1905
Keeping secrets that are obvious defeats their purpose because everyone anticipates them.
In simple terms: Obvious secrets lose value.
Key Takeaway
Avoid obvious secrets.
Themes
communication
strategy
anticipation
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
- political campaigns
Key Concepts
psychology
information theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make a predictable secret work for you?
- When is a known secret still advantageous?
A Different Perspective
If a secret is too predictable, it may still be useful for misdirection.
![“On November 22, 1963, he said, “One of the worst kept secrets [in the world] is the truth about the President’s murder. It wasn’t Castro or the Russians. The men who killed Mr. Kennedy were CIA contract agents. … It had to happen. The man was too independent for his own good.” quote by Mae Brussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e9f/mae-brussell-14019_truth_on-november-22-1963-he-said-one-of-the-w_365614.jpg)
