1. I do not conceive that I have exceeded any portions of my duty, in always striving as much as possible, by daily discussions of the Gospels, to aff

 2. Although, therefore, I exhort you always, as you are aware, to many things, and to the precepts of the Lord’s admonition—for what else can be desir

 3. Chastity is the dignity of the body, the ornament of morality, the sacredness of the sexes, the bond of modesty, the source of purity, the peaceful

 4. But chastity maintains the first rank in virgins, the second in those who are continent, the third in the case of wedlock. Yet in all it is gloriou

 5. The precepts of chastity, brethren, are ancient. Wherefore do I say ancient? Because they were ordained at the same time as men themselves. For bot

 6. Christ gave this judgment when, being inquired of, He said that a wife must not be put away, save for the cause of adultery such honour did He put

 7. But as laws are prescribed to matrons, who are so bound that they cannot thence be separated, while virginity and continency are beyond all law, th

 8. But since the precepts of chastity have thus briefly been set forth to us, let us now give an instance of chastity. For it is more profitable when

 9. But not less from a different direction arises to us another similar instance of chastity from the continence of women. Susanna, as we read, the da

 10. The memory of noble descent could not enervate them, although to some this is a suggestive licence to lasciviousness nor the comeliness of their

 11. Nothing so delights the faithful soul as the healthy consciousness of an unstained modesty. To have vanquished pleasure is the greatest pleasure

 12. For what is chastity but a virtuous mind added to watchfulness over the body so that modesty observed in respect of the sexual relations, atteste

 13. But to return to what I began with: chastity is ever to be cultivated by men and women it is to be kept with all watchfulness within its bounds.

 14. It must be said, moreover, that adultery is not pleasure, but mutual contempt nor can it delight, because it kills both the soul and modesty. Let

12. For what is chastity but a virtuous mind added to watchfulness over the body; so that modesty observed in respect of the sexual relations, attested by strictness (of demeanour), should maintain honourable faith by an uncorrupted offspring?  Moreover, to chastity, brethren, are suited and are known first of all divine modesty, and the sacred meditation of the divine precepts, and a soul inclined to faith, and a mind attuned to the sacredness of religion: then carefulness that nothing in itself should be elaborated beyond measure, or extended beyond propriety; that nothing should be made a show of, nothing artfully coloured; that there should be nothing to pander to the excitement or the renewal of wiles.  She is not a modest woman who strives to stir up the fancy of another, even although her bodily chastity be preserved. Away with such as do not adorn, but prostitute their beauty. For anxiety about beauty is not only the wisdom of an evil mind, but belongs to deformity. Let the bodily nature be free, nor let any sort of force be intruded upon God’s works. She is always wretched who is not satisfied to be such as she is. Wherefore is the colour of hair changed? Why are the edges of the eyes darkened? Why is the face moulded by art into a different form? Finally, why is the looking-glass consulted, unless from fear lest a woman should be herself? Moreover, the dress of a modest woman should be modest; a believer should not be conscious of adultery even in the mixture of colours. To wear gold in one’s garments is as if it were desirable to corrupt one’s garments. What do rigid metals do among the delicate threads of the woven textures, except to press upon the enervated shoulders, and unhappily to show the extravagance of a boastful soul? Why are the necks oppressed and hidden by outlandish stones, the prices of which, without workmanship, exceed the entire fortune14    [“Kalendarium cujusvis excedunt.” The kalendaria were tablets of monthly accounts, in which the monthly interest due, etc., were set down.  “Exceed the entire monthly income” would be better.  Tertullian uses the same word, “exhaust thekalendarium,” rendered by our Edinburgh translator (vol. iv. p. 18), a “fortune.” In this treatise Tertullian is constantly copied and quoted.] of many a one? It is not the woman that is adorned, but the woman’s vices that are manifested. What, when the fingers laden with so much gold can neither close nor open, is there any advantage sought for, or is it merely to show the empty parade of one’s estate? It is a marvellous thing that women, tender in all things else, in bearing the burden of their vices are stronger than men.

XII. Quid enim est aliud pudicitia, quam mens honesta ad custodiam corporis data; ut sexibus redditus pudor, severitate signatus, fidem honoris de incorrupta sobole servaret? Pudicitiae autem, fratres, competunt et cogniti sunt in primis divinus pudor, et praeceptorum sancta meditatio, et animus propensus ad fidem, et mens attonita ad sacram religionem: 0826A deinde videre, ne quid in se ultra modum sculptum, ultra honestatem productum, ne quid proditum, ne quid arte fucatum, ne quid ad irritandos, aut redintegrandos dolos lenocinatum. Non est pudica quae affectat animum alterius movere, etiam salva corporis castitate. Longe absint quibus pulchritudo non ornatur, sed prostituitur. Nam sollicitudo de pulchritudine, et malae mentis judicium et deformitatis est. Sit natura corporis libera, nec divinis operibus inferatur vis. Semper est misera, quae sibi non placet qualis est. Quid capillorum mutatur color? quid oculorum extremitates suffuscantur? Quid facies artibus in diversam formam convertitur? quid postremo speculum consulitur, nisi quia ne ipsa sit timetur? Cultus etiam mulieris pudicae pudicus sit: adulterium fidelis 0826B nec in coloribus noverit. Vestibus aurum intexere, quasi pretio est vestes corrumpere. Quid inter fila staminum delicata, rigida faciunt metalla? nisi ut fluentes humeros premant, et luxuriam infeliciter animi jactantis ostendant? Quid cum cervices peregrinis lapidibus urgentur et absconduntur, quorum pretia etiam sine artibus Kalendarium cujusvis excedunt? Non ornatur mulier, sed vitia mulieris ostenduntur. Quid cum digiti tali auro onerati, nec intrare possunt, nec egredi; utrum usus exposcitur, an patrimoniorum inanis pompa monstratur? Mirum negotium, mulieres ad omnia delicatae, ad vitiorum sarcinas fortiores sunt viris.