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On the Apparel of Women
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." 1 But you will please them in proportion as you take no care to please others. Be ye without carefulness, 2 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, 3 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 4 which the Gentiles think (to be) graces: 5 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. 6 Why are you eager to please either one who is suspicious, or else one who desires it not?
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De Cultu Feminarum
IV.
[1] Quasi gentilibus dicam, gentili et communi omnium praecepto alloquens uos: solis maritis uestris placere debetis. In tantum autem placebitis eis in quantum alteris placere non curaueritis. Securae estote, benedictae, uxor nulla deformis est marito suo; satis placuit cum electa est seu moribus seu forma commendata. Ne quae uestrum putent si temperauerint a compositione sui, odium et auersionem maritorum prosecuturam. [2] Omnis maritus castitatis exactor est; formam uero fidelis non expectat quia non isdem bonis quae gentiles bona putant capimur; infidelis contra etiam suspectam habet, uel propter illam sceleratam in nos opinionem gentilium. Cui ergo pulchritudinem tuam nutrias? Si fideli, non exigit; si gentili, non credit. Quid gestias aut suspecto aut non desideranti placere?