A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me

A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was a man known for his wisdom, compassion, and leadership during one of the most tumultuous times in American history. He was a man of great strength and courage, facing the challenges of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery with grace and determination. However, there was one thing that Lincoln admitted to being afraid of - women.

In a letter to his friend Joshua Speed, Lincoln famously wrote, "I am not a woman, but I am afraid of them. I know they will not hurt me, but I cannot help but fear them." This statement may seem surprising coming from a man who faced down the Confederate army and led a nation through a bloody civil war, but it speaks to the complexity of Lincoln's character.

Lincoln's fear of women may have stemmed from his own personal experiences. He was known to have a tumultuous relationship with his mother, who died when he was just nine years old. He also had a strained relationship with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, who suffered from mental health issues and was often a source of stress and conflict for him. These experiences may have contributed to Lincoln's fear of women, as he struggled to understand and navigate the complexities of female emotions and relationships.

Despite his fear, Lincoln recognized the important role that women played in society. He supported women's rights and believed in the equality of the sexes. He appointed the first female federal officeholder, Clara Barton, and worked to ensure that women had a voice in the political process. Lincoln understood that women were not to be feared, but rather respected and valued for their contributions to society.