--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to keep something concealed…" description: "\"If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.\" — Solomon Ibn Gabirol" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png" --- # If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy… ![“If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.” quote by Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png) > “If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.” [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Secrecy is compromised when shared with those who may betray you. **In simple terms:** Don’t trust a friend with your secrets. Key Takeaway Guard information wisely. Themes trust secrecy strategy Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - espionage - family disputes - business negotiations - friendships Key Concepts political intrigue personal privacy Questions to Reflect On - Who truly deserves your confidence? - When is it safe to share? A Different Perspective Friends can be unreliable informants. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) ## Related quotes > [No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-proceeding-is-better-than-that-which-you-have-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“The secret to keeping one's actions concealed from the enemy is, in most cases, to learn what he thinks you will do, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-kearsley-author/the-secret-to-keeping-one-s-actions-concealed-from-the-enemy-is-in/) Susanna Kearsley (Author > [No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed-than-one-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Nothing is of greater importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed-than-one-concealed-from-the-2/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Whoever says State necessarily says domination, and, consequently, slavery; a State without slavery, open or concealed, is inconceivable: that is why we are enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bakunin/whoever-says-state-necessarily-says-domination-and-consequently/) [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) > [To protect your heart from breaking just don't disclose that you have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/to-protect-your-heart-from-breaking-just-don-t-disclose-that-you-have/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [Do any of us actually want to live in a world where your boss can decide that he or she is morally opposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/do-any-of-us-actually-want-to-live-in-a-world-where-your-boss-can/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [“As emotions may take apart bit by bit the rational blueprints in our imagination, dreams may expose what is veiled in the safe haven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/as-emotions-may-take-apart-bit-by-bit-the-rational-blueprints-in-our/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > ['Star Wars' was something that I was definitely interested in. Whether or not I was really involved isn't something that I should probably disclose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-reynor/star-wars-was-something-that-i-was-definitely-interested-in-whether/) [Jack Reynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-reynor/) > [“So, Shannon,” she said as she put on her seat belt. “Tell me all about yourself.” I hated to hear that question. Just once,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-alexander/so-shannon-she-said-as-she-put-on-her-seat-belt-tell-me-all-about/) [Robin Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-alexander/) > [When you disclose something really personal in hopes that the person will then disclose something personal, too? It's all there on camera, your techniques…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jancee-dunn/when-you-disclose-something-really-personal-in-hopes-that-the-person/) [Jancee Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jancee-dunn/) > [The intelligence investigation under the leadership of Senator Church, which I know has helped cause this investigation by you, points out that the agencies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sherman-cooper/the-intelligence-investigation-under-the-leadership-of-senator-church/) [John Sherman Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sherman-cooper/) > [“Draw me near Your presence, Lord, disclose Yourself to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/draw-me-near-your-presence-lord-disclose-yourself-to-me/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [“For the discovery of self we have to overcome the fear of self, so as to find the marrow ‘within’ and disclose our ‘true’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/for-the-discovery-of-self-we-have-to-overcome-the-fear-of-self-so-as/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [Mr. Luskin also says that Rove did not knowingly disclose classified information and did not tell any reporters that Valerie Plame worked for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-isikoff/mr-luskin-also-says-that-rove-did-not-knowingly-disclose-classified/) [Michael Isikoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-isikoff/) ## More by Solomon Ibn Gabirol > [A tiny fly can choke a big man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/a-tiny-fly-can-choke-a-big-man/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [There are three types of friends: those like food without which you can't live those like medicine which you need occasionally and those like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/there-are-three-types-of-friends-those-like-food-without-which-you/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [A man’s mind is hidden in his writings: criticism brings it to light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/a-man-s-mind-is-hidden-in-his-writings-criticism-brings-it-to-light/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [There are four types of men in this world: 1. The man who knows, and knows that he knows; he is wise, so consult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/there-are-four-types-of-men-in-this-world-1-the-man-who-knows-and/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/the-first-step-in-the-acquisition-of-wisdom-is-silence-the-second/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever; but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/plan-for-this-world-as-if-you-expect-to-live-forever-but-plan-for-the/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [I am better able to retract what I did not say than what I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/i-am-better-able-to-retract-what-i-did-not-say-than-what-i-did/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Worry over what has not occurred is a serious malady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/worry-over-what-has-not-occurred-is-a-serious-malady/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Drink poison rather than worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/drink-poison-rather-than-worry/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/the-beginning-of-wisdom-is-to-desire-it/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Riches bring anxiety; wisdom gives peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/riches-bring-anxiety-wisdom-gives-peace-of-mind/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Misfortune may become fortune through patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/misfortune-may-become-fortune-through-patience/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/as-long-as-a-word-remains-unspoken-you-are-its-master-once-you-utter/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [The Sage was asked to define good manners? to which he replied, To bear patiently the rude ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/the-sage-was-asked-to-define-good-manners-to-which-he-replied-to-bear/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/kings-may-be-judges-of-the-earth-but-wise-men-are-the-judges-of-kings/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) [Explore all 31 Solomon Ibn Gabirol quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) ## More Concealed quotes > [The grain of real knowledge is concealed in a vast deal of esoteric chaff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-rupert-hall/the-grain-of-real-knowledge-is-concealed-in-a-vast-deal-of-esoteric/) Alfred Rupert Hall > [Cold calculation, random spots of color, mathematically exact construction (clearly shown or concealed), drawing that is now silent and now strident . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-puccini/cold-calculation-random-spots-of-color-mathematically-exact/) [Giacomo Puccini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-puccini/) > [A sin concealed is half-pardoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italian-proverb/a-sin-concealed-is-half-pardoned/) Italian Proverb > [“People who have attended Concealed Carry classes, and those already licensed, typically seem to demonstrate a higher degree of courtesy, responsibility and respect. Interestingly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-behr/people-who-have-attended-concealed-carry-classes-and-those-already/) [Gary Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-behr/) > [Whoever says State necessarily says domination, and, consequently, slavery; a State without slavery, open or concealed, is inconceivable: that is why we are enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bakunin/whoever-says-state-necessarily-says-domination-and-consequently/) [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) > [Look into any man's heart you please, and you will always find, in every one, at least one black spot which he has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrik-ibsen/look-into-any-man-s-heart-you-please-and-you-will-always-find-in/) [Henrik Ibsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrik-ibsen/) > [“E liza adjusted her Ministry-issue bullet-resistant corset, and her hands absently came to rest on where her weapons were concealed. Glancing out the window,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-ballantine/e-liza-adjusted-her-ministry-issue-bullet-resistant-corset-and-her/) [Philippa Ballantine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-ballantine/) > [there are few things that are more endearing than the grace of listening with attention; indeed, it is more than endearing, it is impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-deland/there-are-few-things-that-are-more-endearing-than-the-grace-of/) [Margaret Deland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-deland/) > [I don't care if they're licensed legal firearms, people who are not highly trained putting guns in their hands is a recipe for disaster.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-mccarthy/i-don-t-care-if-they-re-licensed-legal-firearms-people-who-are-not/) Garry McCarthy > [Fear is concealed in smiles and flashing teeth. 'Please say you still love me,' the kings and queens are really saying. And, when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/fear-is-concealed-in-smiles-and-flashing-teeth-please-say-you-still/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [If the art is concealed, it succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/if-the-art-is-concealed-it-succeeds/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/thoughtcrime-was-not-a-thing-that-could-be-concealed-forever-you/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Covering the civil-rights movement was a mind- and eye-opener for me. Houston was a segregated society, as was Texas as a whole - some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/covering-the-civil-rights-movement-was-a-mind-and-eye-opener-for-me/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [You kids have fun, and be home by Thanksgiving!" our parents would call to us on Halloween night, as we staggered out the front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/you-kids-have-fun-and-be-home-by-thanksgiving-our-parents-would-call/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) Browse all 332 Concealed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Solomon Ibn Gabirol" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed-from-your-enemy-don-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Concealed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed-from-your-enemy-don-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/solomon-ibn-gabirol-20037_concealed_if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed_511051.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.” — Solomon Ibn Gabirol", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Solomon Ibn Gabirol", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you want to keep something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed-from-your-enemy-don-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed-from-your-enemy-don-t/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```