"But there are other cares, you know, and occupations," I answered,
"which are yours by right, and these you will find agreeable. This,
for instance, to take some maiden who knows naught of carding wool and
to make her proficient in the art, doubling her usefulness; or to
receive another quite ignorant of housekeeping or of service, and to
render her skilful, loyal, serviceable, till she is worth her weight
in gold; or again, when occasion serves, you have it in your power to
requite by kindness the well-behaved whose presence is a blessing to
your house; or maybe to chasten the bad character, should such an one
appear. But the greatest joy of all will be to prove yourself my
better; to make me your faithful follower; knowing no dread lest as
the years advance you should decline in honour in your household, but
rather trusting that, though your hair turn gray, yet, in proportion
as you come to be a better helpmate to myself and to the children, a
better guardian of our home, so will your honour increase throughout
the household as mistress, wife, and mother, daily more dearly prized.
Since," I added, "it is not through excellence of outward form,[37]
but by reason of the lustre of virtues shed forth upon the life of
man, that increase is given to things beautiful and good."[38]

[37] "By reason of the flower on the damask cheek."

[38] Al. "For growth is added to things 'beautiful and good,' not
through the bloom of youth but virtuous perfections, an increase
coextensive with the life of man." See Breit. ad loc.

That, Socrates, or something like that, as far as I may trust my
memory, records the earliest conversation which I held with her.