--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are two indiscretions that…" description: "\"There are two indiscretions that generally distinguish fools: a readiness to report whatever they hear, and a practice of communicating with secrecy wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/norm-macdonald-1825_communicate_there-are-two-indiscretions-that-general_1327206.png" --- # There are two indiscretions that generally distinguish… ![“There are two indiscretions that generally distinguish fools: a readiness to report whatever they hear, and a practice of communicating with secrecy what is commonly understood.” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/norm-macdonald-1825_communicate_there-are-two-indiscretions-that-general_1327206.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/norm-macdonald-1825_communicate_there-are-two-indiscretions-that-general_1327206.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/norm-macdonald-1825_communicate_there-are-two-indiscretions-that-general_1327206.png) > “There are two indiscretions that generally distinguish fools: a readiness to report whatever they hear, and a practice of communicating with secrecy what is commonly understood.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote points out that fools are quick to gossip and secretive about common knowledge, highlighting two common foolish behaviors. **In simple terms:** Fools gossip and hide obvious truths. Key Takeaway Avoid gossip and unnecessary secrecy. Themes foolishness communication social behavior Mood cautious analytical Type social philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - social media - personal relationships Key Concepts critical thinking social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Why do people feel compelled to share rumors? - How can transparency improve trust? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex social interactions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Reports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reports/) [Secrecy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secrecy/) ## Related quotes > [Nuclear weapons production and testing has involved extensive health and environmental damage … One of the most remarkable features of this damage has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-makhijani/nuclear-weapons-production-and-testing-has-involved-extensive-health/) Arjun Makhijani > [A readiness to excuse some faults, shows a disposition to commit others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/a-readiness-to-excuse-some-faults-shows-a-disposition-to-commit-others/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Some men are tempted to violate secrecy from the uneasiness secrecy gives them, and others, merely to impress you with the extent of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/some-men-are-tempted-to-violate-secrecy-from-the-uneasiness-secrecy/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The higher man is distinguished from the lower by his fearlessness and his readiness to challenge misfortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-higher-man-is-distinguished-from-the-lower-by-his-fearlessness/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The nature of encounter operations required of the commanders limitless initiative and constant readiness to take the responsibility for military actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgy-zhukov/the-nature-of-encounter-operations-required-of-the-commanders/) [Georgy Zhukov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgy-zhukov/) > [“When an individual becomes over-involved in a topic of conversation, others are drawn from the talk to the talker. One man's eagerness is another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erving-goffman/when-an-individual-becomes-over-involved-in-a-topic-of-conversation/) [Erving Goffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erving-goffman/) > [A method of child-rearing is not--or should not be--a whim, a fashion or a shibboleth. 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It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/courage-is-almost-a-contradiction-in-terms-it-means-a-strong-desire/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The worthiness of any cause is not measured by its clean record, but by its readiness to see the blots when they are pointed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/the-worthiness-of-any-cause-is-not-measured-by-its-clean-record-but/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. 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