Franklin argues that revealing a secret gives another person a degree of power over the person who disclosed it. Once private information is shared, control over whether it remains confidential no longer rests with one individual. The recipient may keep the secret, but the original speaker must now depend on that person’s discretion.

The saying does not imply that trust is always unwise or that confidences should never be shared. Close relationships often depend on openness. Franklin’s broader point is about the loss of control that accompanies disclosure, particularly when the information could cause harm if revealed. Keeping a sensitive matter private preserves greater independence, while sharing it creates reliance on another person’s judgement and loyalty. The proverb therefore presents discretion as a practical means of protecting personal freedom.