Augustine of Hippo : Marriage is a good in all the things which are proper to the married state. And these are three: it is the ordained means of procreation, it is the guarantee of chastity, it is the bond of union. In respect of its ordination for generation the Scripture says, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house." As regards its guaranteeing chastity, it is said of it, "The wife has not power over her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband has not power over his own body, but the wife. And considered as the bond of union, "What God has joined together, let no one put asunder." — ON NATURE AND ORIGINAL SIN 39.34 Jerome : Paul speaks of idle persons and busybodies, whether virgins or widows, such as go from house to house calling on married women. They display an unblushing effrontery greater than that of a stage parasite. Cast them from you as you would the plague. For "evil communications corrupt good manners," and women like these care for nothing but their lowest appetites. They will often urge you, saying, "My dear creature, make the best of your advantages, and live while life is yours," and, "Surely you are not laying up money for your children." Given to wine and wantonness, they instill all manner of mischief into people's minds and induce even the most austere to indulge in enervating pleasures. — LETTERS 22.29 Jerome : It is true that in writing to Timothy the apostle from fear of fornication is forced to countenance second marriage.… He is offering not a crown to those who stand but a helping hand to those who are down. What must a second marriage be if it is looked on merely as an alternative to the brothel! — LETTERS 79.10 John Chrysostom : Thus he commands not only men, but women also, to work. For idleness is the teacher of every sin. And not only are they exposed to this condemnation, but to other sins. If therefore it is unbecoming for a married woman "to go from house to house," much more is it for a virgin. What then happens, when the care for the husband is withdrawn, and the care to please God does not constrain them? They naturally become idlers, tattlers, and busybodies. For he who does not attend to his own concerns will be meddling with those of others, even as he who minds his own business will take no account of and have no care about the affairs of another. And nothing is so unbecoming to a woman, as to busy herself in the concerns of others, and it is no less unbecoming to a man. This is a great sign of impudence and forwardness. — Homily on 1 Timothy 15 Oecumenius : And also they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; not only idle, but also gossips and chatterers, speaking things they ought not. — [OECUMENIUS] And also they learn to be idle. How do the idle women learn? Having the men who are brought in to assist them provide what is necessary for their old age, they are negligent about their tasks, but they take care to appear pleasing to the men. [end of the excerpt by Oecumenius A f.172v; B f.208r; G f.296r] — not only idle, but also gossips. For the mind has been created by the Creator for us to work. Therefore, when we do not provide it with good work, it itself takes on absurd tasks. — COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY Tertullian : Pursue earnestly, therefore, the virtue of continence, which is modesty's agent; industry, which allows not women to be "wanderers; " frugality, which scorns the world. — To His Wife Book I