The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 2 (of 2)Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Religion
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
“That when her husband says aught,
She ought to regard him as speaking well if she say nothing;
And if she will say anything, to do her endeavour to gratify her
husband.”
And again he subjoins the like:
“And that the wife should sweetly look sad with her husband,
Should aught evil befall him,
And have in common a share of sorrow and joy.”
Then, describing her as gentle and kind even in misfortunes, he adds:
“And I, when you are ill, will, sharing your sickness, bear it;
And I will bear my share in your misfortunes.”
And:
“Nothing is bitter to me,
For with friends one ought to be happy,
For what else is friendship but this?”
The marriage, then, that is consummated according to the word, is
sanctified, if the union be under subjection to God, and be conducted
“with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water, and
holding the confession of hope; for He is faithful that promised.” And
the happiness of marriage ought never to be estimated either by wealth
or beauty, but by virtue.
“Beauty,” says the tragedy,
“Helps no wife with her husband;
But virtue has helped many; for every good wife
Who is attached to her husband knows how to practise sobriety.”
Then, as giving admonitions, he says:
“First, then, this is incumbent on her who is endowed with mind,
That even if her husband be ugly, he must appear good-looking;
For it is for the mind, not the eye, to judge.”
And so forth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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