---
title: What I know - I keep to myself. Careless talk costs lives
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-what-i-know-i-keep-to-myself-1939/
description: A cloth-capped working man gives a knowing sideways smile above the handwritten line 'What I know - I keep to myself'.
section: Collection
---

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3. What I know - I keep to myself. Careless talk costs lives

[![What I know - I keep to myself. Careless talk costs lives, 1939 UK poster: A cloth-capped working man gives a knowing](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-what-i-know-i-keep-to-myself-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-what-i-know-i-keep-to-myself-1939.jpg)

# What I know - I keep to myself. Careless talk costs lives

A cloth-capped working man gives a knowing sideways smile above the handwritten line 'What I know - I keep to myself'. The ordinary face makes secrecy a mark of the sensible common man (plain folks), and the closing line 'Careless talk costs lives' attaches a death toll to idle conversation (fear appeal).

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/) [Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
What I know - I keep to myself

CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY LOWE & BRYDONE PRINTERS LIMITED, LONDON N.W.10  S1-102
```

[← We've got to keep on Saving! (warship firing)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-weve-got-to-keep-on-saving-warship-1939/) [What is Wanted from You →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-what-is-wanted-from-you-1939/)

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- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
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- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
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- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)