Keep Matters for a Time in Suspense.
Admiration at their novelty heightens the value
of your achievements, It is both useless and
insipid to play with the cards on the table. If you
do not declare yourself immediately, you arouse
expectation, especially when the importance of
your position makes you the object of general
attention. Mix a little mystery with everything,
and the very mystery arouses veneration. And
when you explain, be not too explicit, just as you
do not expose your inmost thoughts in ordinary
intercourse. Cautious silence is the holy of holies
of worldly wisdom. A resolution declared is never
highly thought of; it only leaves room for
criticism. And if it happens to fail, you are doubly
unfortunate. Besides you imitate the Divine way
when you cause men to wonder and watch.

The Pocket Oracle and Art of Prudence