Never guess a woman's age. Never guess a woman's weight. Never

"Never guess a woman's age. Never guess a woman's weight. Never even talk about weight in front of a woman. And never, ever ask a woman when she's due." — Lyle Lovett

In these wise words of Lyle Lovett, we are called to reflect upon the deep respect and sensitivity that must be shown toward the women in our lives. There is a sacredness in the mystery of womanhood—an enigma that, when treated with reverence, fosters honor, humility, and understanding. To guess a woman’s age, to comment on her weight, or to inquire about the timing of motherhood is not merely a lapse in etiquette; it is an affront to her dignity, her essence, and the complex, layered nature of her being. These seemingly innocuous questions reveal more about our own ignorance and imprudence than about the woman herself.

From the time of the ancients, women have been revered for their grace, strength, and mystery. In Greek mythology, for instance, Athena was born fully formed from the head of Zeus, a symbol of wisdom and majesty unbound by the limitations of time and form. The mystery of womanhood was never to be unraveled, for the very essence of a woman was tied to the divine. Similarly, in the ancient world, women were often not seen through the cold lens of metrics or measurements but were celebrated as beings beyond the reach of trivial calculations. To place such finite markers as age or weight upon a woman is to reduce her to something mundane and petty, stripping away the profound reverence she is owed.

Consider, then, the lessons of history. Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of Egypt, was often seen as the embodiment of feminine power—a ruler who bent the course of history not by conforming to the expectations of others, but by owning her identity, her charm, and her intellect. Imagine, for a moment, how a question regarding her age or appearance might have diminished the immense power she wielded. In the eyes of her people, and in the eyes of history, she was much more than a number or a measure of beauty. She was a sovereign whose every action reverberated across the ages, her cunning and grace transcending the superficialities of physical form.

Lyle Lovett’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between sensitivity and respect. When we speak of a woman’s age or weight, we are not simply talking about numbers or statistics—we are making a statement about how we view her. Do we value her for her wisdom? Do we honor her for her character? Or do we reduce her to the shallowest aspects of her existence, neglecting the fullness of her humanity? To discuss her appearance or the timing of motherhood is to ignore the truth that every woman is far more than the sum of her outward traits.

In ancient cultures, the honor of a woman was often tied to her ability to contribute to the community, her wisdom, and her grace—qualities that transcended mere physicality. Aristotle himself said that women were the foundation of the family and society, serving as the moral backbone and the nurturers of the next generation. To ask a woman about her weight or age is to diminish the profound role she plays in the world, whether she is a mother, a leader, or a creator.

Thus, the lesson is clear: we must approach the women in our lives with humility, recognizing their infinite value and immeasurable worth. Let us not fall prey to the temptation to speak thoughtlessly of their appearance or their biological timeline. Let us, instead, elevate them with our words, treating them with the reverence they deserve. The world is quick to diminish the contributions of women, to reduce them to numbers, labels, or measurements—but we, as individuals, must rise above this. We must learn to celebrate their strength, their wisdom, and their infinite complexity, understanding that these are the qualities that define a woman, and that these are the qualities we should honor in our hearts and in our speech.

In our own lives, let us practice discernment and respect. Never guess a woman’s age, for her age is but a reflection of the richness of her experience. Never comment on her weight, for her body is a sacred vessel, carrying within it the story of her life. And never ask when she’s due, for the journey of motherhood is hers to share when she chooses. Let us remember that the measure of a woman is not in the shallow numbers of her age or weight but in the depth of her spirit, the power of her mind, and the compassion in her heart. In doing so, we will create a world in which every woman is seen, not for her appearance, but for her full glory.