--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bards were terrible at keeping secrets…" description: "\"Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. They insisted on putting them to music.\" — Tanya Huff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/tanya-huff-18284_bards_bards-were-terrible-at-keeping-secrets-t_2021560.jpg" --- # Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. They insisted on… ![“Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. They insisted on putting them to music.” quote by Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/tanya-huff-18284_bards_bards-were-terrible-at-keeping-secrets-t_2021560.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/tanya-huff-18284_bards_bards-were-terrible-at-keeping-secrets-t_2021560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/tanya-huff-18284_bards_bards-were-terrible-at-keeping-secrets-t_2021560.jpg) > “Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. They insisted on putting them to music.” [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bards reveal secrets through song, making privacy impossible. **In simple terms:** Bards can't keep secrets because they turn them into music. Key Takeaway Be cautious sharing secrets with creative types. Themes artistic expression secrecy communication Mood cautious insightful Type literary reflective When to use this quote - court intrigue - personal confessions Key Concepts storytelling cultural tradition Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of sharing secrets publicly? - How does art transform private information? A Different Perspective Music can amplify gossip. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bards/) [Keeping secrets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeping-secrets/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) ## Related quotes > [I'm terrible at keeping secrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-bailey/i-m-terrible-at-keeping-secrets/) [Jonathan Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-bailey/) > [“Willpower is great to get things moving, and terrible for keeping things moving. We”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/willpower-is-great-to-get-things-moving-and-terrible-for-keeping/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [In the ancient times, bards went around singing the epics, which were storehouses of philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/in-the-ancient-times-bards-went-around-singing-the-epics-which-were/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [The best-concerted schemes men lay for fame, Die fast away: only themselves die faster. The far-fam'd sculptor, and the laurell'd bard, Those bold insurancers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-blair/the-best-concerted-schemes-men-lay-for-fame-die-fast-away-only/) [Robert Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-blair/) > [This siren, this goat-footed bard, this half human visitor to our age the hag-ridden and enchanted woods of Celtic antiquity. One catches in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/this-siren-this-goat-footed-bard-this-half-human-visitor-to-our-age/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [Poetry is the work of the bard and of the people who inspire him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/poetry-is-the-work-of-the-bard-and-of-the-people-who-inspire-him/) [Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/) > [the fact that they stole their whole shtick from Woody Guthrie and the coal-mining bards. While the alternative nation meows about personal fashion angst,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-goad/the-fact-that-they-stole-their-whole-shtick-from-woody-guthrie-and/) [Jim Goad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-goad/) > [By all means," cried the bard, his eyes lighting up. "A Fflam to the rescue! Storm the castle! Carry it by assault! Batter down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-alexander/by-all-means-cried-the-bard-his-eyes-lighting-up-a-fflam-to-the/) [Lloyd Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-alexander/) > [The will is free; Strong is the soul, and wise, and beautiful; The seeds of godlike power are in us still; Gods are we,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/the-will-is-free-strong-is-the-soul-and-wise-and-beautiful-the-seeds/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [Literature was not promulgated by a pale and emasculated critical priesthood singing their litanies in empty churches - nor is it a game for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/literature-was-not-promulgated-by-a-pale-and-emasculated-critical/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Great is the art, Great be the manners, of the bard. He shall not his brain encumber With the coil of rhythm and number;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/great-is-the-art-great-be-the-manners-of-the-bard-he-shall-not-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“We know summer is the height of of being alive. We don't believe in God or the prospect of an afterlife mostly, so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/we-know-summer-is-the-height-of-of-being-alive-we-don-t-believe-in/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [With this blistering salvo of poetic gutshots Lawson has proven himself Bizarro’s true bard, its mad laureate. Switching from dark whimsy to retina-blast shock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-robert-johnson/with-this-blistering-salvo-of-poetic-gutshots-lawson-has-proven/) [Jeremy Robert Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-robert-johnson/) > [“I mean, I know you’re a scribe and all, but you were at point blank range, Johnny. A child could have made that shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-nell/i-mean-i-know-you-re-a-scribe-and-all-but-you-were-at-point-blank/) Richard Nell > [The earliest storytellers were magi, seers, bards, griots, shamans. They were, it would seem, old as time, and as terrifying to gaze upon as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/the-earliest-storytellers-were-magi-seers-bards-griots-shamans-they/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) ## More by Tanya Huff > [“Isn't that just like a man. 450-fucking-years-old and he's still thinking with his balls!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/isn-t-that-just-like-a-man-450-fucking-years-old-and-he-s-still/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“I'll send three of Harnet's Di'taken. I have it on good authority that they think the sun shines out of my ass." Pole leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/i-ll-send-three-of-harnet-s-di-taken-i-have-it-on-good-authority-that/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“But I am a knight of the Round Table," he protested, weakly. "I am a protector of the realm, a slayer of evil, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/but-i-am-a-knight-of-the-round-table-he-protested-weakly-i-am-a/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“Fitzroy, what is this shit?" "Henry, please, not Fitzroy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/fitzroy-what-is-this-shit-henry-please-not-fitzroy/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“All things are within the Circle. That is the very Center of what we believe. If all things are not enclosed, then there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/all-things-are-within-the-circle-that-is-the-very-center-of-what-we/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“What are you on, Samuel?" This was easier, he glanced down. "Laminate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/what-are-you-on-samuel-this-was-easier-he-glanced-down-laminate/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [Dexter thrust a pamphlet into Samuel's hand. "Greenstreet Mission. We're doing a Christmas dinner. You can get a meal and hear the word of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/dexter-thrust-a-pamphlet-into-samuel-s-hand-greenstreet-mission-we-re/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“Once a man began thinking with his body, intelligent decisions came few and far between.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/once-a-man-began-thinking-with-his-body-intelligent-decisions-came/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [Empty words show an empty mind, and silence speaks most eloquently of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/empty-words-show-an-empty-mind-and-silence-speaks-most-eloquently-of/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [The world tilted slightly sideways. 'I think I need to sit down.' The floor seemed like the best option. It was close and he'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/the-world-tilted-slightly-sideways-i-think-i-need-to-sit-down-the/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“A group of tiny warriors no more than 2" high, their dark skins making them almost impossible to see, were silently surrounding an unsuspecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/a-group-of-tiny-warriors-no-more-than-2-high-their-dark-skins-making/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [All writers believe in the magic of books; Jim Hines has created a system where that magic becomes real, usable, and very definitely not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/all-writers-believe-in-the-magic-of-books-jim-hines-has-created-a/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [“She'd followed him from the door to the condo into the tiny office even though he'd requested that she wait a minute in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/she-d-followed-him-from-the-door-to-the-condo-into-the-tiny-office/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [Better the comfort of a lie than the absurdity of the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/better-the-comfort-of-a-lie-than-the-absurdity-of-the-truth/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) > [Violence is never the answer but sometimes, like with cockroaches, it is the only possible response.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-huff/violence-is-never-the-answer-but-sometimes-like-with-cockroaches-it/) [Tanya Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) [Explore all 35 Tanya Huff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-huff/) ## More Bards quotes > [The earliest storytellers were magi, seers, bards, griots, shamans. They were, it would seem, old as time, and as terrifying to gaze upon as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/the-earliest-storytellers-were-magi-seers-bards-griots-shamans-they/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [“I mean, I know you’re a scribe and all, but you were at point blank range, Johnny. A child could have made that shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-nell/i-mean-i-know-you-re-a-scribe-and-all-but-you-were-at-point-blank/) Richard Nell > [With this blistering salvo of poetic gutshots Lawson has proven himself Bizarro’s true bard, its mad laureate. Switching from dark whimsy to retina-blast shock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-robert-johnson/with-this-blistering-salvo-of-poetic-gutshots-lawson-has-proven/) [Jeremy Robert Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-robert-johnson/) > [“We know summer is the height of of being alive. We don't believe in God or the prospect of an afterlife mostly, so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/we-know-summer-is-the-height-of-of-being-alive-we-don-t-believe-in/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [Great is the art, Great be the manners, of the bard. He shall not his brain encumber With the coil of rhythm and number;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/great-is-the-art-great-be-the-manners-of-the-bard-he-shall-not-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Literature was not promulgated by a pale and emasculated critical priesthood singing their litanies in empty churches - nor is it a game for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/literature-was-not-promulgated-by-a-pale-and-emasculated-critical/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The will is free; Strong is the soul, and wise, and beautiful; The seeds of godlike power are in us still; Gods are we,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/the-will-is-free-strong-is-the-soul-and-wise-and-beautiful-the-seeds/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [By all means," cried the bard, his eyes lighting up. "A Fflam to the rescue! Storm the castle! Carry it by assault! Batter down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-alexander/by-all-means-cried-the-bard-his-eyes-lighting-up-a-fflam-to-the/) [Lloyd Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-alexander/) > [the fact that they stole their whole shtick from Woody Guthrie and the coal-mining bards. While the alternative nation meows about personal fashion angst,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-goad/the-fact-that-they-stole-their-whole-shtick-from-woody-guthrie-and/) [Jim Goad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-goad/) > [Poetry is the work of the bard and of the people who inspire him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/poetry-is-the-work-of-the-bard-and-of-the-people-who-inspire-him/) [Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/) > [This siren, this goat-footed bard, this half human visitor to our age the hag-ridden and enchanted woods of Celtic antiquity. One catches in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/this-siren-this-goat-footed-bard-this-half-human-visitor-to-our-age/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [The best-concerted schemes men lay for fame, Die fast away: only themselves die faster. The far-fam'd sculptor, and the laurell'd bard, Those bold insurancers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-blair/the-best-concerted-schemes-men-lay-for-fame-die-fast-away-only/) [Robert Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-blair/) > [In the ancient times, bards went around singing the epics, which were storehouses of philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/in-the-ancient-times-bards-went-around-singing-the-epics-which-were/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [She has her own glamour, Willy lad. All poets do, all the bards and artists, all the musicians who truly take the music into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-bull/she-has-her-own-glamour-willy-lad-all-poets-do-all-the-bards-and/) [Emma Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-bull/) > [Go ye, who rest so placidly upon the sacred Bard who had been young, and when he strung his harp was old, and had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/go-ye-who-rest-so-placidly-upon-the-sacred-bard-who-had-been-young/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) [Browse all 92 Bards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bards/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Bards were terrible at keeping secrets. 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