By Donald Winnicott
It's a joy to be hidden, but a disaster not to be found.
— Donald Winnicott
Donald Winnicott, Playing and Reality (1971).
Winnicott was a psychoanalyst and pediatrician whose work with children informed his thinking. The quote connects to the childhood game of hide-and-seek - the thrill of hiding, the anticipation of being found, and the relief when someone discovers you.
Ironically, the original source could easily have been his wife Clare Winnicott.