Letter 146: Why are you surprised that so many heresies arose after the Savior's incarnation in the flesh?

To Adamantius. The pupils within the eyes, like maidens enthroned in their bridal chambers and veiled by the eyelids as though by curtains, would justly be governed by chaste reasoning, so that they may always blush and feel shame at the things they ought. And if ever they should also behold beauty that belongs to another, they blush the more, and draw their curtains, and bend downward, and look closely upon the earth as upon a mother who instructs them - not only that this is our nature, but also that the beauty seen blossomed forth from her, and returns into her to be withered away. For if they should do this, they would truly guard what is fitting for maidens; but if they gaze without restraint and without shame, they will be found to be dogs instead of maidens, fawning upon beauties that belong to others.

Αἱ κόραι αἱ εἴσω τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν, καθάπερ παρθένοι (16) ἐν θαλάμοις ἱδρυμέναι, καὶ τοῖς βλεφάροις καθάπερ παραπετάσμασι κεκαλυμμέναι, δίκαιαι ἄν εἶεν ὑπὸ σώφρονος λογισμοῦ ἐπιτροπεύεσθαι, ἵνα ἐρυθριῶσι μὲν ἀεὶ, καὶ αἰσχύνωνται ἃ δεῖ. Εἰ δέ ποτε καὶ ἀλλότριον κάλλος θεάσαιντο, πλέον ἐρυθριῶσι, καὶ ἕλκουσι τὰ παραπετάσματα, καὶ κάτω κύπτουσι, καὶ τὴν γῆν ἅτε μητέρα περισκοπῶσι τὴν παιδεύουσαν, οὐ μόνον τὴν ἡμετέραν φύσιν, ἀλλ’ ὅτι καὶ τὸ ὀφθὲν κάλλος ἐξ αὐτῆς ἤνθησε, καὶ εἰς αὐτὴν ὑποστρέφει μαρανθησόμενον. Εἰ γὰρ τοῦτο δράσειεν, φυλάξειεν ἀληθῶς τὸ πρέπον παρθένους· εἰ δὲ ἀκρατῶς καὶ ἀναισχύντως καθορῷεν, κύνες ἀντὶ παρθένων εὑρεθήσονται, τοῖς ἀλλοτρίοις κάλλεσιν ἐπιλυντῶσαι.