83. Why Cicero should have introduced beauty, I do
not quite understand; though it is true he also speaks in praise of the
powers of the body. We certainly do not locate virtue in the
beauty of the body, though, on the other hand, we do recognize a
certain grace, as when modesty is wont to cover the face with a blush
of shame, and to make it more pleasing. For as a workman is wont
to work better the more suitable his materials are, so modesty is more
conspicuous in the comeliness of the body. Only the comeliness of
the body should not be assumed; it should be natural and artless,
unstudied rather than elaborated, not heightened by costly and
glistening garments, but just clad in ordinary clothing. One must
see that nothing is wanting that one’s credit or necessity
demands, whilst nothing must be added for the sake of splendour.