Riddles are a fun and engaging way to challenge your mind and enjoy a bit of playful thinking. One of the most popular themes in riddles revolves around the concept of giving and receiving. In particular, the riddle “You can’t keep this until you have given it” has intrigued people for generations.
It reminds us that some things in life, like promises, love, trust, and secrets, only have meaning when they are shared. In this article, we will explore over 150 riddles based on this theme, along with their answers, in a simple, easy-to-read style. You’ll find riddles that test your logic, wit, and understanding of human nature.
Classic “You Can’t Keep This Until You Have Given It” Riddles
- What can you never keep until you have given it? Answer: A promise
- I am yours only when you give me away. What am I? Answer: Trust
- You can hold me but never touch me. What am I? Answer: A secret
- The more you give me, the more you have. What am I? Answer: Love
- I cannot be kept unless I am shared. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I am spoken yet invisible. You can give me but not see me. What am I? Answer: Words
- I am precious but weightless. You can give it to me freely. What am I? Answer: Compliments
- I start with ‘G’ and grow when you share with me. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- You cannot keep me unless I am honest. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I am invisible but powerful. You can only keep me by giving me. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I travel fast when shared but stay still if kept. What am I? Answer: News
- I am given in small amounts but have a great impact. What am I? Answer: Advice
- You can give me freely yet I remain yours. What am I? Answer: Smiles
- I bind people and break when broken. What am I? Answer: A promise
- I am more valuable than gold but vanish if not given. What am I? Answer: Attention
- I am shared in silence or speech. What am I? Answer: Respect
- I cost nothing but mean everything. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I cannot be owned but can be lent. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I grow when I’m given and shrink when hidden. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I am a gift that is kept by giving. What am I? Answer: Love
Fun Brain Teasers About Giving and Keeping

- What do you have only when you share me? Answer: A secret
- What disappears if you hold onto it too tightly? Answer: Trust
- What becomes stronger the more you give it? Answer: Love
- I am passed from hand to hand but never stolen. What am I? Answer: Compliment
- I can be broken but also kept. What am I? Answer: A promise
- You can make me but never touch me. What am I? Answer: An idea
- I am light but valuable. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I start with a letter ‘L’ and increase when shared. What am I? Answer: Love
- I can be given and received, but not sold. What am I? Answer: Respect
- I grow when nurtured but die when ignored. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I am heard but never seen. What am I? Answer: Words
- I disappear if not passed on. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I can heal wounds without touch. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am shared in happiness or sorrow. What am I? Answer: Comfort
- I am invisible but felt deeply. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I am the gift of the heart. What am I? Answer: Love
- I can inspire but never force. What am I? Answer: Motivation
- I start small but grow endlessly when given. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- You can give me freely but cannot take me back. What am I? Answer: Words
- I am priceless and belong to all. What am I? Answer: Attention
Puzzle Questions About Promises
- I am a pledge you can make and keep. What am I? Answer: Promise
- You cannot take me back once given. What am I? Answer: A vow
- I require honesty to exist. What am I? Answer: Commitment
- I can be broken or honored. What am I? Answer: A promise
- I am invisible but bind people. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I am given in weddings, deals, and friendships. What am I? Answer: A promise
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Responsibility
- I am stronger when kept. What am I? Answer: Loyalty
- I am made in words but held in action. What am I? Answer: A promise
- I last as long as faith exists. What am I? Answer: Commitment
- I am not an object but a bond. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I am spoken in vows or silently in action. What am I? Answer: Promise
- I can be small or grand. What am I? Answer: An oath
- I am shared in love or friendship. What am I? Answer: Promise
- I am lost if broken. What am I? Answer: A vow
- I am earned by honesty. What am I? Answer: Faith
- I hold power without form. What am I? Answer: Commitment
- I cannot be forced. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I grow when nurtured. What am I? Answer: Promise
- I am a treasure of the heart. What am I? Answer: Loyalty
Love and Friendship Riddles

- I am strongest when shared. What am I? Answer: Love
- You cannot hold me without giving me. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I can heal hearts but never touch them. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I grow when nurtured. What am I? Answer: Love
- I disappear if ignored. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I am invisible but felt. What am I? Answer: Affection
- I am priceless yet given freely. What am I? Answer: Love
- I bind people across distances. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I am quiet yet loud in effect. What am I? Answer: Love
- I am shared in small gestures. What am I? Answer: Care
- I increase when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am a gift of the heart. What am I? Answer: Love
- I can comfort without words. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I vanish if hoarded. What am I? Answer: Love
- I am strengthened by giving. What am I? Answer: Friendship
- I am felt, not seen. What am I? Answer: Affection
- I am powerful but gentle. What am I? Answer: Love
- I grow endlessly when shared. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am given in smiles and hugs. What am I? Answer: Love
- I am the bond that lasts forever. What am I? Answer: Friendship
Riddles About Secrets
- I am kept only when shared carefully. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I vanish if told to the wrong person. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am invisible but heavy. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I grow when whispered. What am I? Answer: Gossip
- I am valuable yet weightless. What am I? Answer: Secrets
- I can make or break trust. What am I? Answer: Confidential information
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I am safe when guarded. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I travel fast when shared. What am I? Answer: Gossip
- I am powerful if kept. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I can bond people. What am I? Answer: Shared secret
- I am dangerous if exposed. What am I? Answer: Private information
- I am whispered yet remembered. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I vanish if not cared for. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am kept only by trust. What am I? Answer: Secrets
- I can hurt or heal. What am I? Answer: Words
- I am given in trust. What am I? Answer: A secret
- I grow stronger when shared carefully. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am invisible yet powerful. What am I? Answer: Secrets
- I belong to both giver and receiver. What am I? Answer: Trust
Kindness and Generosity Riddles

- I increase when you give me. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I cost nothing but mean everything. What am I? Answer: Generosity
- I am felt, not seen. What am I? Answer: Empathy
- I grow when shared. What am I? Answer: Compassion
- I am strongest when given freely. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am a gift without wrapping. What am I? Answer: Help
- I can brighten the darkest day. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I am returned when given. What am I? Answer: Love
- I travel far when shared. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am invisible but powerful. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am light but heavy in impact. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I am given in actions and words. What am I? Answer: Generosity
- I vanish if hoarded. What am I? Answer: Compassion
- I grow when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am a gift that costs nothing. What am I? Answer: Love
- I can inspire others. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am shared in helping hands. What am I? Answer: Generosity
- I am returned in smiles. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I increase when noticed. What am I? Answer: Attention
- I am given with no strings. What am I? Answer: Love
Knowledge and Wisdom Riddles
- I am shared but never lost. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I grow when passed on. What am I? Answer: Wisdom
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Learning
- I am invisible yet powerful. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I increase when given freely. What am I? Answer: Wisdom
- I am kept by teaching. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I can enlighten minds. What am I? Answer: Learning
- I am a gift that never fades. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I grow when shared. What am I? Answer: Wisdom
- I am earned but given freely. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I can solve problems silently. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I vanish if not nurtured. What am I? Answer: Wisdom
- I am powerful when understood. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I am passed in stories and books. What am I? Answer: Learning
- I am priceless yet shared. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I can guide without speaking. What am I? Answer: Wisdom
- I grow endlessly when shared. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I am invisible yet noticed. What am I? Answer: Insight
- I am felt when applied. What am I? Answer: Understanding
- I belong to all who seek me. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
Smiles and Compliments Riddles
- I am given freely but brighten days. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I travel fast but cost nothing. What am I? Answer: Compliment
- I grow when returned. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Kind words
- I am invisible but felt deeply. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I can inspire people silently. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I am returned when shared. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I can make friends easily. What am I? Answer: Compliment
- I am felt but not seen. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I increase when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I am powerful in small doses. What am I? Answer: Praise
- I can heal without medicine. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am given in gestures and words. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I can lift spirits instantly. What am I? Answer: Compliment
- I am shared without thinking. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I am invisible yet noticed. What am I? Answer: Kindness
- I belong to all who give me. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I grow when spread around. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I vanish when hoarded. What am I? Answer: Compliment
- I am the gift that costs nothing. What am I? Answer: Happiness
Faith and Spiritual Riddles
- I am kept only when given. What am I? Answer: Prayer
- I grow stronger when shared. What am I? Answer: Faith
- I am invisible but guiding. What am I? Answer: Trust in God
- I am felt when offered sincerely. What am I? Answer: Devotion
- I can comfort without touch. What am I? Answer: Hope
- I vanish if neglected. What am I? Answer: Belief
- I increase when nurtured. What am I? Answer: Faith
- I can unite people silently. What am I? Answer: Prayer
- I am shared in worship and service. What am I? Answer: Devotion
- I am powerful though unseen. What am I? Answer: Spirituality
- I belong to those who give me. What am I? Answer: Blessing
- I grow when practiced. What am I? Answer: Faith
- I am a treasure of the heart. What am I? Answer: Love for God
- I can be given silently. What am I? Answer: Prayer
- I strengthen when shared. What am I? Answer: Hope
- I can inspire without words. What am I? Answer: Faith
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Belief
- I am returned when genuine. What am I? Answer: Blessings
- I am invisible yet powerful. What am I? Answer: Prayer
- I grow endlessly when nurtured. What am I? Answer: Devotion
Words and Communication Riddles
- I am heard but never touched. What am I? Answer: Words
- I can inspire or hurt. What am I? Answer: Speech
- I vanish if not shared. What am I? Answer: Story
- I travel fast when spoken. What am I? Answer: News
- I am invisible but powerful. What am I? Answer: Influence
- I belong to all who speak me. What am I? Answer: Words
- I grow when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Communication
- I can heal or harm. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I am returned when listened to. What am I? Answer: Conversation
- I am a tool of connection. What am I? Answer: Words
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Message
- I am felt but not seen. What am I? Answer: Tone
- I am shared in writing or speech. What am I? Answer: Ideas
- I increase when spoken kindly. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am invisible yet remembered. What am I? Answer: Words
- I can guide silently. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I grow endlessly when communicated. What am I? Answer: Knowledge
- I belong to those who express me. What am I? Answer: Thoughts
- I vanish if misunderstood. What am I? Answer: Meaning
- I am the gift of expression. What am I? Answer: Words
Apology and Forgiveness Riddles
- I am given to heal pain. What am I? Answer: Apology
- You can’t keep me unless you give me sincerely. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I restore trust when shared. What am I? Answer: Sorry
- I mend broken hearts. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am a gift of the heart. What am I? Answer: Sorry
- I am more powerful than anger. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I can calm storms without touch. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I am returned when accepted. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am silent or spoken. What am I? Answer: Sorry
- I heal relationships. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I grow stronger with honesty. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am free but priceless. What am I? Answer: Sorry
- I dissolve resentment. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am given in truth. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I can be small or grand. What am I? Answer: Sorry
- I bind hearts again. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I vanish when ignored. What am I? Answer: Apology
- I bring peace silently. What am I? Answer: Forgiveness
- I am the key to moving forward. What am I? Answer: Sorry
Encouragement and Motivation Riddles
- I lift spirits without being seen. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I grow stronger when shared. What am I? Answer: Motivation
- You can’t keep me unless I am given. What am I? Answer: Inspiration
- I fuel hope and determination. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Support
- I can spark action silently. What am I? Answer: Motivation
- I travel fast when shared. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I am returned when applied. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am invisible yet powerful. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I grow endlessly when nurtured. What am I? Answer: Inspiration
- I can empower without touch. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I brighten minds silently. What am I? Answer: Motivation
- I am a gift of the heart. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I disappear if hoarded. What am I? Answer: Support
- I inspire quietly. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I am returned when trusted. What am I? Answer: Motivation
- I grow when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Inspiration
- I belong to all who give me. What am I? Answer: Encouragement
- I can guide without speaking. What am I? Answer: Advice
- I strengthen those who receive me. What am I? Answer: Motivation
Gratitude and Appreciation Riddles
- I start with giving, not taking. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I grow when expressed. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- You can’t keep me unless I am shared. What am I? Answer: Thanks
- I am felt but invisible. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I am returned when recognized. What am I? Answer: Thanks
- I can heal hearts silently. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I am a gift that costs nothing. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I grow when noticed. What am I? Answer: Thankfulness
- I inspire kindness in return. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I am shared in words or actions. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I brighten days without being seen. What am I? Answer: Thanks
- I am invisible but meaningful. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I vanish if not expressed. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I belong to those who give me. What am I? Answer: Thanks
- I grow endlessly when practiced. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I am the seed of happiness. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
- I increase when shared widely. What am I? Answer: Thanks
- I strengthen bonds silently. What am I? Answer: Gratitude
- I am returned with warmth. What am I? Answer: Appreciation
Read More:150+ Butterfly Riddles (with Answers)
Happiness and Joy Riddles
- I grow when you share me. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- You can’t keep me unless given. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I am invisible but contagious. What am I? Answer: Laughter
- I brighten hearts without cost. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I vanish if hoarded. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I am returned when given. What am I? Answer: Laughter
- I can lift moods silently. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I am felt but not seen. What am I? Answer: Delight
- I increase when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I grow endlessly when shared. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I belong to those who give me. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I inspire without words. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Laughter
- I am powerful yet light. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I travel fast when shared. What am I? Answer: Smile
- I can brighten days silently. What am I? Answer: Joy
- I return when noticed. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I am invisible yet felt deeply. What am I? Answer: Laughter
- I grow when multiplied. What am I? Answer: Happiness
- I am a gift everyone loves. What am I? Answer: Smile
Secret Keeper and Confidential Riddles
- I vanish if revealed carelessly. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I am kept only by trust. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I grow stronger when shared wisely. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I can bond or break friendships. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am invisible but heavy. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I travel fast yet remain unseen. What am I? Answer: Gossip
- I belong to both giver and receiver. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I am returned when respected. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I vanish if ignored. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I can protect or harm silently. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I am shared in whispers. What am I? Answer: Gossip
- I am powerful if kept. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I grow with discretion. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I disappear when mishandled. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I can strengthen bonds. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am invisible yet meaningful. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I am returned when valued. What am I? Answer: Trust
- I vanish if misused. What am I? Answer: Confidence
- I am shared carefully or lost forever. What am I? Answer: Secret
- I am a gift that requires trust. What am I? Answer: Confidence
FAQs
What is the meaning of “You can’t keep this until you have given it”?
It refers to things like promises, trust, love, or secrets. These are only meaningful or “kept” when they are shared with others.
Why are riddles about giving important?
They teach life lessons such as sharing, honesty, kindness, and empathy, while also stimulating the brain.
Can these riddles be used for children?
Absolutely! They help develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and moral understanding, making learning fun.
Are there multiple correct answers for the main riddle?
Yes. Depending on context, answers can include promise, trust, love, kindness, friendship, or forgiveness.
How can I use these riddles in daily life?
You can use them as icebreakers, classroom games, family activities, conversation starters, or brain exercises. They are perfect for all ages.
Conclusion
Riddles like “You can’t keep this until you have given it” are much more than simple brain teasers. They teach life lessons about the value of giving, sharing, and connecting with others. Whether it’s a promise, a smile, trust, love, or a secret, these treasures exist only when shared.
In the end, the message is clear: what you truly want to keep in life—love, trust, happiness—can only be held when you give it first. By sharing generously, you enrich not only others’ lives but also your own.
Based in Texas, Caleb specializes in short, witty riddles that are easy to remember but hard to solve. He often draws inspiration from folklore and everyday life.
