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C'est un secret, par conséquent on garde cela pour soi.

C'est un secret, par conséquent on garde cela pour soi.
It is a secret, consequently one keeps that to oneself.
From Lesson 446:Neutral demonstrative pronouns (ceci, cela)·French

Questions & Answers about C'est un secret, par conséquent on garde cela pour soi.

Why does the sentence use cela instead of ceci?
Cela (that) is used to refer back to an idea that has already been mentioned—in this case, the fact that it is a secret. Ceci (this) is typically used to introduce a brand new idea that you are about to explain. Since the secret was established in the first half of the sentence, cela is the correct neutral pronoun to link the ideas together.
Could I just say on le garde instead of on garde cela?
Yes, on le garde pour soi is grammatically correct and very common. Using the neutral demonstrative pronoun cela adds a bit more emphasis to "that fact" or "that specific thing" and sounds slightly more formal or deliberate than using the simple direct object pronoun le.
Why does the sentence end with pour soi rather than pour lui or pour nous?
The preposition pour must be followed by a stressed pronoun. Because the subject of the clause is the general, indefinite pronoun on (meaning "one" or "people in general"), you must use the corresponding indefinite stressed pronoun soi (oneself). If the subject were a specific person like il, you would use pour lui.
What is the difference between par conséquent and donc?
Both act as discourse connectors meaning "therefore" or "consequently." However, par conséquent is slightly more formal and heavily emphasizes the logical, inevitable result of what was just said. Donc is the standard, everyday word for "so" or "therefore" and could absolutely be used here instead.
Quick refresher: Why is it C'est un secret and not Il est un secret?
You must use c'est when it is followed by a modified noun (a determiner like un, le, or mon plus a noun). You only use il est or elle est when the pronoun is followed directly by a lone adjective or an unmodified profession, such as in Il est bavard.

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