The Folly of Women’s Leadership

For who can deny but it repugneth to nature that the blind shall be appointed to lead and conduct such as do see; that the weak, the sick, and impotent persons shall nourish and keep the whole and strong; and finally, that the foolish, mad, and frenetic shall govern the discreet and give counsel to such as be sober of mind? And such be all women compared unto man in bearing of authority. For their sight in civil regiment [government] is but blindness, their strength weakness, their counsel foolishness, and judgment frenzy.

By John Knox

[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #46 in 1995]

—John Knox in The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women (1558)
Next articles

Life Shall Devour Death

Scotland’s great Reformation preacher comforts a troubled congregation.

John Knox

John Knox and the Scottish Reformation: Christian History Interview — Prophet Without Honor?

Why many are tempted to disown Knox, and why we shouldn’t.

David F. Wright

John Knox and the Scottish Reformation: Recommended Resources

More resources about John Knox and the Scottish Reformation.

Iain Torrance

John Knox and the Scottish Reformation: History in the Making — It Seemed So Innocent and Good

Many Christians unknowingly helped build the first atomic bomb.

Richard Pierard
Show more

Subscribe to magazine

Subscription to Christian History magazine is on a donation basis

Subscribe

Support us

Christian History Institute (CHI) is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation founded in 1982. Your donations support the continuation of this ministry

Donate

Subscribe to daily emails

Containing today’s events, devotional, quote and stories