51. You, then, who are women have no excuse
because of your nature. You who are widows have no excuse because
of the weakness of your sex, nor can you attribute your changeableness
to the loss of the support of a husband. Every one has sufficient
protection if courage is not wanting to the soul. And the very
advance of age is a common defence of chastity for widows; and grief
for the husband who is lost, regular work, the care of the house,
anxiety for children, frequently ward off wantonness hurtful to the
soul; while the very mourning attire, the funeral solemnities, the
constant weeping, and grief impressed on the sad brow in deep wrinkles,
restrains wanton
eyes, checks lust,
turns away forward looks. The sorrow of regretful affection is a
good guardian of chastity, guilt cannot find an entrance if vigilance
be not wanting.