Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own

The words of Arthur Conan Doyle, “Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting,” emerge not merely as a playful observation, but as a reflection on the hidden power of the feminine spirit. In them lies the suggestion that the heart of a woman carries mysteries beyond the grasp of men, a treasury of intuition, strength, and silence that shapes the course of life itself. The secretive nature here is not deceit, but wisdom—an instinct to guard, to protect, and to reveal only when the moment is ripe.

The origin of such thought springs from centuries of tradition where women, often denied public voice, wielded their influence through subtler means. In a world where open speech was forbidden them, secrecy became survival, discretion became strength, and the unseen hand of a woman often guided the fate of kingdoms and families alike. What some called secreting, others might rightly name as strategy, patience, and foresight—the quiet weapons of those who could not wield sword or throne.

Consider the tale of Harriet Tubman, who in the shadows of slavery became the “Moses” of her people. Her secretive movements along the Underground Railroad saved hundreds of lives, yet her power lay in silence, cunning, and the ability to keep hidden what must not be exposed. She exemplified Doyle’s observation—her secreting was not idle play but the careful concealment of paths, allies, and plans. It was through secrecy that she defeated a system of oppression far larger than herself.

This tendency of women toward secrecy can also be seen in the realm of family and community. A mother may conceal her burdens so that her children may smile untroubled; a wife may guard her counsel until it is needed to steady her household. Such secrecy is not weakness, but sacrifice—the deliberate holding of truth until it may bring healing rather than harm. Thus, the secret becomes not a prison, but a gift.

Yet let us not mistake this secreting for silence without purpose. In the hands of women, secrecy has been both shield and spear, guarding what is precious and striking when least expected. History shows that in courts, in revolutions, in homes, and in hearts, women’s hidden strength has turned tides and toppled barriers. What is unseen is often the mightiest, for it moves without resistance until the appointed hour.

Therefore, let future generations understand: the secretive nature of women is not a flaw to be corrected, but a wisdom to be honored. In their concealment lies survival, in their silence lies strategy, and in their secrecy lies a power that has shaped the destiny of peoples. For not all truths are meant to be spoken at once, and not all victories are won in the light of day.