proverb · Words worth keeping
Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, and lawyer.
Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, and lawyer.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying urges full disclosure to a minister, physician and lawyer. It gives three trusted roles a shared expectation of being told relevant truths.
Example
Someone clarifies what information a helper needs for an agreed task instead of concealing a relevant difficulty.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Hide nothing makes the instruction absolute, though the text does not define the information, relationship or setting. A qualified wider application can discuss how concealment frustrates help. It does not establish confidentiality rules or require unlimited disclosure to anyone holding a title. The useful focus is clarity about what a particular conversation needs.
When to use it
Use it as a qualified discussion of honesty in a helping relationship.
Keep in mind
It is not professional, medical or legal advice or a guarantee of confidentiality.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English