Chapter XLVI.

A twofold division of what is seemly is given. Next it is shown that what is according to nature is virtuous, and what is otherwise must be looked on as shameful. This division is explained by examples.

231. Seemliness, therefore, which stands conspicuous has a twofold division.300    Cic. de Off. I. 27, § 96. For there is what we may call a general seemliness, which is diffused through all that is virtuous, and is seen, as one may say, in the whole body. It is also individual, and shows itself clearly in some particular part. The first has a consistent form and the perfection of what is virtuous harmonizing in every action. For all its life is consistent with itself, and there is no discrepancy in anything. The other is concerned when there is any special action done in a virtuous course of life.

232. At the same time let us note that it is seemly to live in accordance with nature, and to pass our time in accordance with it, and that whatever is contrary to nature is shameful. For the Apostle asks: “Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered; doth not nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? For it is contrary to nature.” And again he says: “If a woman have long hair, it is a glory unto her.”301    1 Cor. xi. 13, 14. It is according to nature, since her hair is given her for a veil, for it is a natural veil. Thus nature arranges for us both character and appearance, and we ought to observe her directions. Would that we could guard her innocence, and not change what we have received by our wickedness!

233. We have that general seemliness; for God made the beauty of this world. We have it also in its parts; for when God made the light, and marked off the day from the night, when He made heaven, and separated land and seas, when He set the sun and moon and stars to shine on the earth, He approved of them all one by one. Therefore this comeliness, which shone forth in each single part of the world, was resplendent in the whole, as the Book of Wisdom shows, saying: “I existed, in whom He rejoiced when He was glad at the completion of the world.”302    Prov. viii 30, 31 [LXX.]. Likewise also in the building up of the human body each single member is pleasing, but the right adjustment of the members all together delights us far more. For thus they seem to be united and fitted in one harmonious whole.

CAPUT XLVI.

Proponitur bifida decori divisio: tum postquam ostensum 0089C est quod secundum naturam sit, honestum: quod secus, turpe censendum; exemplis illustratur haec ipsa divisio.

221. Est igitur decorum quod praeeminet, cujus divisio gemina est. Nam est decorum quasi generale, quod per universitatem funditur honestatis, et quasi in toto spectatur corpore: est etiam speciale, quod in parte aliqua enitet. Illud generale ita est, ac si aequabilem formam atque universitatem honestatis in omni actu suo habeat concinentem; cum omnis sibi ejus vita consentit, nec in ulla aliqua re discrepat: hoc speciale, cum aliquem actum in suis habet virtutibus praeeminentem.

222. Simul illud adverte quod et decorum est secundum naturam vivere, secundum naturam degere, 0090A et turpe est quod sit contra naturam. Ait enim Apostolus quasi interrogans: Decet mulierem non velatam orare Deum? Nec ipsa natura docet vos quod vir quidem si comam habeat, ignominia est illi; quoniam contra naturam est (I Cor. XI, 13)? Et iterum dicit: Mulier vero si capillos habeat, gloria est illi (Ibid. 15). Est enim secundum naturam, quoniam quidem capilli pro velamine sunt; hoc est enim naturale velamen. Personam igitur nobis et speciem natura ipsa dispensat, quam servare debemus: 60 utinamque et innocentiam ejus custodire possimus, nec acceptam nostra malitia mutaret!

223. Habes hoc decorum generale, quia fecit Deus mundi istius pulchritudinem. Habes et per partes, quia cum faceret Deus lucem, et diem noctemque 0090B distingueret (Genes. I, 3 et seq.), cum conderet coelum, cum terras et maria separaret, cum solem et lunam et stellas constitueret lucere super terram, probavit singula. Ergo decorum hoc, quod in singulis mundi partibus elucebat, in universitate resplenduit, sicut probat Sapientia, dicens: Ego eram cui applaudebat . . . . . cum laetaretur orbe perfecto (Prov. VIII, 30, 31). Similiter ergo et in fabrica humani corporis grata est uniuscujusque membri portio: sed plus in commune compositio membrorum apta delectat, quod ita sibi quadrare et convenire videantur.