302. Anonymity; Secrecy
Boswell: "Supposing the person who wrote Junius
were asked whether he was the authour, might he deny it?"
Johnson: "I don't know what to say to this. If you were
sure that he wrote Junius, would you, if he denied
it, think as well of him afterwards? Yet it may be urged, that
what a man has no right to ask, you may refuse to communicate;
and there is no other effectual mode of preserving a secret, and
an important secret, the discovery of which may be very hurtful
to you, but a flat denial; for if you are silent, or hesitate,
or evade, it will be held equivalent to a confession. But stay,
Sir; here is another case. Supposing the authour had told me
confidentially that he had written Junius, and I were
asked if he had, I should hold myself at liberty to deny it, as
being under a previous promise, express or implied, to conceal
it. Now what I ought to do for the authour, may I not do for
myself?"
Boswell: Life
Link
400. Anonymity; Secrecy
"Junius burst into notice with a blaze of impudence which has
rarely glared upon the world before, and drew the rabble after
him, as a monster makes a show. When he had provided for his
safety, by impenetrable secrecy, he had nothing to combat but
truth and justice, enemies whom he knows to be feeble in the
dark. Being then at liberty to indulge himself in all the
immunities of invisibility; out of reach of danger, he has been
bold; out of the reach of shame, he has been confident."
Johnson: Thoughts on the Late
Transactions Respecting Falkland's Islands
Link
538. Secrecy
"The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is
generally one of the chief motives to disclose it; for, however
absurd it may be thought to boast an honour by an act which shows
that it was conferred without merit, yet most men seem rather
inclined to confess the want of virtue than of importance."
Johnson: Rambler #13 (May 1, 1750)
Link
539. Secrecy
"To tell our own secrets is generally folly, but that folly is
without guilt; to communicate those with which we are intrusted
is always treachery, and treachery for the most part combined
with folly."
Johnson: Rambler #13 (May 1, 1750)
Link
540. Secrecy
"All the arguments upon which a man who is telling the private
affairs of another may ground his confidence of security, he must
upon reflection know to be uncertain, because he finds them
without effect upon himself."
Johnson: Rambler #13 (May 1, 1750)
Link