---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for…"
description: "\"“Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for if your real usefulness were known to the world you would soon be knocked down to the highest bidder by the ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd9/kakuz-okakura-14816_highest-bidder_hide-yourself-under-a-bushel-quickly-for_2379591.jpg"
---

#  Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for if your real…

![“Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for if your real usefulness were known to the world you would soon be knocked down to the highest bidder by the public auctioneer.” quote by Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd9/kakuz-okakura-14816_highest-bidder_hide-yourself-under-a-bushel-quickly-for_2379591.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd9/kakuz-okakura-14816_highest-bidder_hide-yourself-under-a-bushel-quickly-for_2379591.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd9/kakuz-okakura-14816_highest-bidder_hide-yourself-under-a-bushel-quickly-for_2379591.jpg)

> ““Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for if your real usefulness were known to the world you would soon be knocked down to the highest bidder by the public auctioneer.””

[Kakuzō Okakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Concealing talent can protect it from exploitation; fame may invite those who seek to profit from it.

**In simple terms:** Hide talent to avoid being exploited.

Key Takeaway

Guard your abilities until the right time.

Themes

humility self‑preservation exploitation

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- artistic collaboration
- public speaking
- entrepreneurship

Key Concepts

human nature value of talent

Questions to Reflect On

- What talents are you hiding?
- How can you share value without being taken advantage of?

A Different Perspective

Fame can also bring genuine support, not just exploitation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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> [A great friend and mentor, Simon de Pury, invited me to be auctioneer at Phillips de Pury, which was a great honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gilkes/a-great-friend-and-mentor-simon-de-pury-invited-me-to-be-auctioneer/)

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## More by Kakuzō Okakura

> [“Nothing is more hallowing than the union of kindred spirits in art. At the moment of meeting, the art lover transcends himself. At once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kakuz-okakura/nothing-is-more-hallowing-than-the-union-of-kindred-spirits-in-art-at/)

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[Explore all 43 Kakuzō Okakura quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kakuz-okakura/)

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