84. The voice, too, should not be languid, nor
feeble, nor womanish in its tone,—such a tone of voice as many
are in the habit of using, under the idea of seeming important.
It should preserve a certain quality, and rhythm, and a manly
vigour. For all to do what is best suited to their character and
sex, that is to attain to beauty of life. This is the best order
for movements, this the employment fitted for every action. But
as I cannot approve of a soft or weak tone of voice, or an effeminate
gesture of the body, so also I cannot approve of what is boorish and
rustic. Let us follow nature. The imitation of her provides
us with a principle of training, and gives us a pattern of
virtue.