"Como regla, los hombres se preocupan más por lo que no pueden ver que por lo que pueden."

The main idea here is that people tend to stress more about invisible or uncertain dangers than the ones they can see and understand. When we don't have all the information, our imagination often fills in the worst-case scenarios. It's like hearing a noise in the dark—our minds conjure up all kinds of monsters, even if it's just the wind.

Historically, this sentiment fits in many contexts, from ancient times when people feared the unknown creatures that might lurk beyond the horizon, to modern times when we worry about invisible threats like illnesses or economic downturns. The quote speaks to a fundamental human trait: fear of the unknown.

Let's take a real-life example. Imagine you're working on a big project at your job. Your boss is often busy and doesn't give you much feedback. So, what do you do? You start worrying. You imagine that your boss doesn't like your work. Maybe you think you'll get fired. The truth is, you don't have enough information—you're not seeing the full picture. Your boss might actually be happy with your work but is too swamped to say so.

So, how can we apply this wisdom to our lives? First, recognize when you're worrying about things you can't see or don't have all the facts about. Next time you find yourself spiraling into stress over something uncertain, stop and ask yourself: "What do I actually know about this?" Sometimes, just identifying the gaps in your knowledge can calm you down. Then, take steps to get more information. Talk to your boss, ask questions, or do some research.

To illustrate, let me tell you about my friend Sarah. Sarah was always anxious about her health. She'd feel a twinge somewhere and immediately think it was something serious. One day, she felt a sharp pain in her side and convinced herself it was something terrible. She didn't sleep all night, tossing and turning with worry. Finally, she went to the doctor. Turns out, it was just a muscle spasm from a workout she did the day before. Sarah's imagination turned a small issue into a night of sleepless worry because she feared the unseen.

The takeaway here is to confront your fears head-on. The unseen and unknown will always be scarier than what you can see and understand. By seeking out information and clarity, you turn the unknown into the known. This reduces worry and gives you a firmer grip on reality. So next time you're stuck in a loop of anxiety, remember: the monsters in the dark are usually just shadows. Turn on the light, and you'll see there's nothing there to fear.