How the hare withheld the secret from them.

He said, “One ought not to say forth every secret: sometimes the even number turns out to be odd, and sometimes the odd number to be even.”

If from guilelessness you breathe words to a mirror, the mirror at once becomes dim to us.

Do not move your lip in explanation of these three things, (namely) concerning your departure and your gold and your religion;

For to these three there is many an adversary and foe standing in wait for you when he knows (about any of them).

And if you tell (only) one or two (a few people), farewell (to your secret): every secret that goes beyond the twain (who share it) is published abroad.

If you tie two or three birds together, they will remain on the ground, imprisoned by grief;

(But in truth) they hold a consultation well-disguised and mingled, in its (apparent) significance, with that which casts error (into the mind of any one who observes them).

(Similarly) the Prophet used to take counsel, (speaking) cryptically, and they (his companions) would answer him and (would be) without knowledge (of his real meaning).

He would speak his opinion in a covert parable, in order that the adversary might not know foot from head.

He (the Prophet) would receive his answer from him (the adversary), while the other would not catch the smell (drift) of his question.