A secret is the greatest strength, the firmest power. When a man gives away his secret, he becomes as…

A secret is the greatest strength, the firmest power. When a man gives away his secret, he becomes as defenseless and weak as a chick just out of the egg. Every ruin and every defeat has come about as a result of losing a secret. What are a man's secrets? The first secret is power, strength and capability. Never let anyone know the limits of your power. Hide your strength. Let no one be able to gauge it. The second secret is money. How much you have in your pocket, how much you earn a month, how much loss and damage you suffer — do not reveal it. Let no one know the size of your wealth. The third secret is your wife. Who your wife is, what she is like, how many wives you have — do not tell. Whether you quarrel, whether you cannot get along, whether you are disappointed — do not tell. Keep your wife a secret from friend and foe alike. So: strength (zor) — hidden. Gold (zar) — hidden. Woman (zan) — hidden. The fourth secret is plans. What you have thought of, what you intend, what you expect — hide it. Do not report to anyone. The fifth secret is travel. Where you are going, why, for how long, and whom you will meet — do not tell. The sixth secret is friends. With whom you are friends, since when, and what kindness they have done you — do not tell! If you want to be left without friends, make a legend of them for the whole world, and you will soon lose them. The seventh secret is enemies. With whom, why and since when you are at enmity — do not tell. If you do not want your enemies to conspire together, if you do not want your enemies to gain strength tomorrow, keep silent. The eighth secret is worship and charity. Guard your voluntary prayers and fasts, your alms and good deeds; do not disclose them to anyone. The ninth secret is your teacher. From whom you are taking what lessons and instruction — keep it hidden. Only your parents and your teacher have the right to know these secrets. Do not open your mouth to anyone else. Develop this quality. Force yourself. Believe me, you will grow into a great person. Only fools do not keep secrets. Never be a fool. First of all, hide your secret yourself. If you told someone in trust and he disclosed it, never let him near your table again. In any case, he is a traitor, and a traitor is never counted among human beings. He is nothing; he is merely a creature, nothing more.

Akrom MALIK