"اگر می‌خواهید رازی را نگه دارید باید آن را از خودتان هم پنهان کنید"

Sometimes, it's best if even you don't know your own secrets. Let that sink in for a second. The core idea here is pretty straightforward—if you really want to keep something under wraps, you need to be so discreet that you almost forget the secret yourself. Sounds wild, right? But it makes sense if you think about it. The less you consciously think about a secret, the less likely it is to slip out accidentally.

Now, why would anyone say something like this? Imagine living in a time where secrets could literally be a matter of life and death. George Orwell penned this idea in his dystopian novel **1984**, where people were constantly watched and had to hide their thoughts to stay safe. In that world, having a secret could lead to severe punishment or worse. That's why Orwell was so adamant about hiding your secrets even from yourself—so there's no chance of giving them away under pressure.

Let's make this more concrete. Think about spies during World War II. They operated under intense scrutiny, often using fake names and backstories. A spy would have to remember a completely different identity and life history. Imagine you're a spy and you’re captured. If you don’t even remember your real name or mission, you can’t accidentally reveal it under torture. It’s like putting your most precious possession in a box and then losing the key on purpose.

So, how can you apply this idea without being a secret agent? Say you’re working on a big project at work, and it’s crucial to keep it under wraps until the launch. One way to hide the secret is to compartmentalize your knowledge. Only focus on what you need to know at that moment. Don’t keep all the details at the top of your mind. Instead, tuck them away in a secure mental drawer. This way, you won't accidentally spill the beans during casual conversations.

Picture this: You’re planning a surprise party for a friend. You’ve got everything lined up—guest list, decorations, the works. But every time you see your friend, you’re bursting to share the excitement. So, what do you do? You treat it like it doesn’t even exist. Divert your thoughts whenever the topic comes up. Distract yourself with other projects. The less you think about it, the less likely you are to accidentally spill the surprise.

Think about it like this: the more you dwell on a secret, the more real it becomes in your mind, and the harder it is to keep it. So, sometimes, it's best to let the secret fade into the background of your mind. That way, it doesn’t become a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

In essence, if you truly want to keep something hidden, be so good at it that you even hide it from yourself. It’s a bit like playing a mental game of hide and seek—where you're both the hider and the seeker, but you’ve intentionally forgotten where you hid the treasure. It’s tricky, but it’s a surefire way to keep those secrets safe and sound.