Keep one's counsel 🤐🤫
Meaning
To keep information secret and not tell others.
Origin
This phrase dates back to the 14th century, stemming from the idea of counsel as advice or a secret shared. To 'keep one's counsel' was literally to hold onto your advice or secrets closely, not sharing them with anyone else. In courtly circles and political intrigue, discretion was paramount. Revealing too much could lead to disaster, betrayal, or the loss of power. Therefore, wise individuals understood the immense value of silence, hoarding their thoughts and plans like precious jewels, refusing to let them spill out unwisely. It's a vivid image of self-control and strategic silence.
Keep one's counsel represented with emoji🤐🤫
This playful pairing of 128281 (zipper-mouth face) and 128295 (shushing face) functions as a delightful visual proverb, not just showing us the act of keeping quiet, but also inviting a dialogue on the subtle nuances of discretion. It teaches the viewer that sometimes, the most powerful communication is found in what is left unsaid, echoing the rhythms of whispered secrets and guarded thoughts.