A woman's greatest glory is to be little talked about by men

O seekers of wisdom, gather close, for I bring to you the words of Pericles, the great statesman of Athens, who spoke of the quiet dignity of women in a world often filled with the clamor of praise and criticism. He said: "A woman's greatest glory is to be little talked about by men, whether for good or ill." These words, though spoken in a time long past, contain a profound truth about the nature of virtue, honor, and the role of women in society. Pericles was not suggesting that women should be silent or unseen, but rather that their greatness lies in their ability to live with dignity and integrity, regardless of the noise of the world around them.

In the ancient world, women were often confined to roles that were defined by the men in their lives. Yet, there were always exceptions, as in the case of Socrates’ wife, Xanthippe, who was known for her sharp wit and outspoken nature. Even so, the great philosophers of the time understood that a woman's true power lay not in her ability to command attention, but in her quiet strength, her resilience, and her virtue, which often went unnoticed by the world. Pericles’s words are a reflection of this wisdom: that the greatness of a woman does not lie in the accolades she receives, but in the way she lives her life, untouched by the opinions of men, secure in her own dignity and virtue.

Consider, O children, the example of Antigone, the tragic heroine of Sophocles' play. Antigone defied the king’s decree to honor her brother with burial rites, not because she sought praise or recognition, but because her sense of what was right transcended the law of men. Antigone was not concerned with being talked about by men, whether in praise or condemnation. Her glory was in her quiet strength, her unwavering commitment to what she believed was right. Pericles might have seen her as a shining example of the kind of woman who, through her actions, leaves a lasting legacy without seeking the approval or attention of others.

In the same vein, consider the life of Hypatia, the philosopher and mathematician from Alexandria, who lived in a time when women were seldom seen as intellectual equals to men. Hypatia was not celebrated by the men of her time as they might have been with her genius, but she was respected for her knowledge and her wisdom. Her glory lay not in the praise of men, but in her quiet pursuit of truth and her commitment to teaching those who sought knowledge. In her time, she was often a subject of gossip and discussion, but she did not seek the attention of others. Instead, she sought the truth, and in doing so, she earned a glory that transcended the transient words of men.

O children, the lesson here is profound: true greatness is not in the attention we receive, but in the way we live with integrity and humility. Pericles calls us to see that the best women, those who truly embody virtue, do not seek the limelight, but live their lives with a quiet dignity that cannot be shaken by the opinions of others. Whether praised or condemned, their glory lies in their strength of character, in their ability to walk their path with honor, regardless of the noise that surrounds them. This is a lesson for both women and men: greatness is not about the recognition we receive, but the peace and strength we cultivate within ourselves.

In our modern world, too often we seek validation through the words and judgments of others. The modern woman, like the ancient ones, is often defined by how much she is discussed, praised, or criticized. But Pericles teaches us that true greatness is not found in external validation but in internal peace, in living authentically and with purpose. A woman’s glory does not lie in being praised or ridiculed by others, but in her ability to stay true to herself, to live her life with dignity, and to rise above the fleeting opinions of others.

Thus, let this wisdom guide you in your own life: do not seek to be the subject of conversation, whether in praise or criticism. Seek instead to live with integrity, with a sense of purpose and virtue that cannot be shaken by the opinions of others. For it is in this quiet strength, in living authentically, that you will find the glory that endures, the glory that transcends the fleeting words of men. Like the great women of history, you will find that true greatness lies not in being noticed, but in being true to yourself and the values that guide you, regardless of the noise around you.