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A secret, if it's kept, can be sweet and comforting, but once it leaks out it can turn on you with a vengeance.
Yasunari Kawabata
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Keeping a secret can provide comfort, but if revealed, it may have negative consequences.

This quote suggests that the act of keeping a secret can create a sense of solace and security; however, the implications of that secret becoming known can lead to unexpected and harsh repercussions. It highlights the dual nature of secrets, where their protective quality can shift dramatically when they are exposed, often resulting in feelings of betrayal or regret.

Themes

SecretComfortConsequencesTrustBetrayal

In practice

Example use cases

When giving a speech about the importance of trust in relationships, this quote illustrates the potential dangers of keeping secrets.

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Put your soul in the palm of my hand for me to look at, like a crystal jewel. I'll sketch it in words.
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Lunatics have no age. If we were crazy, you and I, we might be a great deal younger.
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