Hidden treasures are guarded more against disrespect than against theft

Evidence

The knowledge of this patch of moss was a gift to me and I share it judiciously. My old professor showed it to me before he retired, after he knew my fate was sealed as a bryologist. I wouldn’t show it to just anyone. I’m afraid I was rather haughty about this knowledge, doling it out only to those who’d proven themselves sufficiently appreciative to be worthy of the gift. It’s not that I’m afraid that they might value it so highly they would take it. Rather, I’m afraid that they might not value it enough. So I hoarded that gold, protecting it, I thought, from disrespect from someone for whom its tiny glitter was not enough. — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss, 635

Categorization

• APHORISMS: Reading-purpose aligned, this passage models the ethos of sharing hard-won observation judiciously rather than broadcasting it.
• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
• XREF: connects to: Forgetting to honor a place makes its life withdraw — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural…, 639; Material incentives backfire on sacred values while symbolic recognition softens opposition. — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 547; Offering material incentives for sacred-value compromises backfires and increases hostility — Scott Atran and Jeremy Ginges, Sacred Values and Cultural Conflict, 67 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Offering material incentives for sacred-value compromises backfires and increases hostility #expands (0.80) — Scott Atran and Jeremy Ginges, Sacred Values and Cultural Conflict, 67
• Material incentives backfire on sacred values while symbolic recognition softens opposition. #expands (0.75) — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 547
• Invisible compartmentalization, not invisibility itself, makes crimes permissible #qualifies (0.70)