A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

12: Trust
Jā 508 Pañcapaṇḍitajātakaṁ
Keeping a Secret
The Bodhisatta councils the King not to reveal his
secrets to anyone, but others hostile to him say
that revealing to a wife, a friend, a brother, a
son, or a mother is acceptable. Later the
Bodhisatta reveals the secrets that they have told
to such, showing their unreliablity. Then he
repeats his wise advice.
231. Guyhassa hi guyham-eva sādhu,
Na hi guyhassa pasattham-āvikammaṁ,
Anipphādāya saheyya Dhīro,
Nipphannatho yathāsukhaṁ bhaṇeyya.
The hiding of secrets is good indeed,
The revealing of secrets is wicked,
The Wise is patient while it is undone,
When done he can speak whatever he likes.
232. Na guyham-atthaṁ vivareyya,
Rakkheyya naṁ yathā nidhiṁ,
Na hi pātukato sādhu guyho attho pajānatā.
One should not reveal a secret,
One should guard it like buried treasure,
Therefore those who know a secret
Surely do not make it manifest.
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