This rich woman’s pearls, that foreign lady’s silks, are not to be worn without paying a large price for them. But the ornaments [Sidenote: F] of Theano, of Cleobuline, of Gorgo the wife of Leonidas, of Timoclea the sister of Theagenes, of the Claudia of ancient history, and of Cornelia the daughter of Scipio, you may wear for nothing; and with this adornment your life may be as happy as it is distinguished. [Sidenote: 146] Sappho thought so much of her skill as a lyrist that she wrote—addressing a wealthy woman— _When thou art dead, thou shalt lie with none to remember thy name: For no portion hast thou in the roses Pierian...._ You will assuredly have more occasion to think highly and proudly of yourself, if you have a portion, not only in the roses, but also in the fruits, which the Muses bring as free gifts to those who prize culture and philosophy. Footnote 37: Made of polished bronze. Footnote 38: Which contained ‘every charm: love, desire, and sweet converse’ (Homer, _Il._ xiv. 214). Footnote 39: The use of oil to soften the hair was practically universal. Footnote 40: A common punishment for a slave was to put him to hard labour in turning the mill, in place of a horse or ass. Footnote 41: A frequent pretence of ancient witches. CONCERNING BUSYBODIES If a house is stuffy, dark, chilly, or unhealthy, it is perhaps [Sidenote: 515 B] best to get out of it. But if long association makes you fond of the place, you may alter the lights, shift the stairs, open a door here and close one there, and so make it brighter, fresher, and more wholesome. Even cities have sometimes been improved [Sidenote: C] by such rearrangement. For instance, it is said that my own native town, which used to face the west and receive the full force of the afternoon sun from Parnassus, was turned by Chairon so as to front the east. Empedocles, the natural philosopher, once blocked up a mountain gorge, which sent a destructive and pestilential south wind blowing down upon the plains. By this means, it was thought, he shut the plague out of the district. Well, since there are certain injurious and unhealthy states of mind which chill and darken the soul, it would be best to get rid of them—to make a clean sweep to the foundations, and give ourselves the benefit of a clear sky, light, and pure air [Sidenote: D] to breathe. If not, we should reform and readjust them by turning them some other way about. We may take the vice of the busybody as an instance in point. It is a love of prying into other people’s troubles, a disease tainted—we may believe—with both envy and malice. _Why so sharp-eyed, my most malignant Sir, For others’ faults, yet overlook your own?_ Pray turn your pryingness the other way about, and make it face inwards. If you are so fond of the business of inquiring into defects, you will find plenty to occupy you at home.