--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Keep your own secret, and get out other…" description: "\"Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence and dex..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/lord-chesterfield-757_civility_keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-p_2070250.jpg" --- # Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep… ![“Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence and dexterity, but at the same time with the utmost personal civility to them: and be firm without heat.” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/lord-chesterfield-757_civility_keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-p_2070250.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/lord-chesterfield-757_civility_keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-p_2070250.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/lord-chesterfield-757_civility_keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-p_2070250.jpg) > “Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence and dexterity, but at the same time with the utmost personal civility to them: and be firm without heat.” [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advise managing personal secrets and emotions while handling rivals with skill and civility, avoiding overt aggression. **In simple terms:** Keep secrets, control temper, outmaneuver rivals politely. Key Takeaway Balance discretion with strategic action. Themes self‑control strategy etiquette Mood calm strategic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - business negotiations - personal conflicts - leadership - team dynamics Key Concepts political maneuvering emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay firm without hostility? - When is transparency more valuable than secrecy? A Different Perspective May be perceived as manipulative or overly diplomatic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility/) [Dexterity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dexterity/) [Diligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diligence/) [Heat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heat/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) ## Related quotes > [Where no man thinks himself under any obligation to submit to another, and, instead of co-operating in one great scheme, every one hastens through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/where-no-man-thinks-himself-under-any-obligation-to-submit-to-another/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [There is really no crisis except an artificial one...If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/there-is-really-no-crisis-except-an-artificial-one-if-the-great/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [People in a temper often say a lot of silly, terrible things they mean.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-gilliatt/people-in-a-temper-often-say-a-lot-of-silly-terrible-things-they-mean/) [Penelope Gilliatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-gilliatt/) > [If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the troubles will come to an end, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-the-great-american-people-will-only-keep-their-temper-on-both/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It is only with prudence, sagacity, and much dexterity that great aims are accomplished, and all obstacles surmounted. 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It’s the ultimate mark of a mensch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruna-martinuzzi/when-someone-has-wronged-you-continue-to-treat-them-with-civility-it/) [Bruna Martinuzzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruna-martinuzzi/) > [“Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/elizabeth-received-them-with-all-the-forbearance-of-civility/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. 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