Chapter III.--Grant that Beauty Be Not to Be Feared: Still It is to Be Shunned as Unnecessary and Vainglorious.
Let it now be granted that excellence of form be not to be feared, as neither troublesome to its possessors, nor destructive to its desirers, nor perilous to its compartners; [161] let it be thought (to be) not exposed to temptations, not surrounded by stumbling-blocks: it is enough that to angels of God [162] it is not necessary. For, where modesty is, there beauty is idle; because properly the use and fruit of beauty is voluptuousness, unless any one thinks that there is some other harvest for bodily grace to reap. [163] Are women who think that, in furnishing to their neighbour that which is demanded of beauty, they are furnishing it to themselves also, to augment that (beauty) when (naturally) given them, and to strive after it when not (thus) given? Some one will say, "Why, then, if voluptuousness be shut out and chastity let in, may (we) not enjoy the praise of beauty alone, and glory in a bodily good?" Let whoever finds pleasure in "glorying in the flesh" [164] see to that. To us in the first place, there is no studious pursuit of "glory," because "glory" is the essence of exaltation. Now exaltation is incongruous for professors of humility according to God's precepts. Secondly, if all "glory" is "vain" and insensate, [165] how much more (glory) in the flesh, especially to us? For even if "glorying" is (allowable), we ought to wish our sphere of pleasing to lie in the graces [166] of the Spirit, not in the flesh; because we are "suitors" [167] of things spiritual. In those things wherein our sphere of labour lies, let our joy lie. From the sources whence we hope for salvation, let us cull our "glory." Plainly, a Christian will "glory" even in the flesh; but (it will be) when it has endured laceration for Christ's sake, [168] in order that the spirit may be crowned in it, not in order that it may draw the eyes and sighs of youths after it. Thus (a thing) which, from whatever point you look at it, is in your case superfluous, you may justly disdain if you have it not, and neglect if you have. Let a holy woman, if naturally beautiful, give none so great occasion (for carnal appetite). Certainly, if even she be so, she ought not to set off (her beauty), but even to obscure it. [169]
[161] Conjunctis.
[162] Angelis Dei. Comp. the opening sentence of the book.
[163] Comp. ad Ux., b. i. c. iv.
[164] See Gal. vi. 13 and 1 Cor. iii. 21; v. 6.
[165] Stuporata.
[166] Bonis.
[167] Sectatores.
[168] Comp. 2 Cor. xi. 18; xii. 10; Phil. iii. 3, 4.
[169] Non adjuvare, sed etiam impedire, debet.
Chapter IV.--Concerning the Plea of "Pleasing the Husband."
As if I were speaking to Gentiles, addressing you with a Gentile precept, and (one which is) common to all, (I would say,) "You are bound to please your husbands only." [170] But you will please them in proportion as you take no care to please others. Be ye without carefulness, [171] blessed (sisters): no wife is "ugly" to her own husband. She "pleased" him enough when she was selected (by him as his wife); whether commended by form or by character. Let none of you think that, if she abstain from the care of her person, [172] she will incur the hatred and aversion of husbands. Every husband is the exactor of chastity; but beauty, a believing (husband) does not require, because we are not captivated by the same graces [173] which the Gentiles think (to be) graces: [174] an unbelieving one, on the other hand, even regards with suspicion, just from that infamous opinion of us which the Gentiles have. For whom, then, is it that you cherish your beauty? If for a believer, he does not exact it: if for an unbeliever, he does not believe in it unless it be artless. [175] Why are you eager to please either one who is suspicious, or else one who desires it not?
[170] Comp. 1 Cor. vii. 34.
[171] Comp. 1 Cor. vii. 32.
[172] Compositione sui.
[173] Bonis.
[174] Bona.
[175] Simplicem.