What, indeed (replied the husband), save only, that thenceforward she
never once indulged in any practice of the sort, but has striven to
display the natural beauty of her person in its purity. She did,
however, put to me a question: Could I advise her how she might become
not in false show but really fair to look upon?

This, then, was the counsel which I gave her, Socrates: Not to be for
ever seated like a slave;[12] but, with Heaven's help, to assume the
attitude of a true mistress standing before the loom, and where her
knowledge gave her the superiority, bravely to give the aid of her
instruction; where her knowledge failed, as bravely try to learn. I
counselled her to oversee the baking woman as she made the bread; to
stand beside the housekeeper as she measured out her stores; to go
tours of inspection to see if all things were in order as they should
be. For, as it seemed to me, this would at once be walking exercise
and supervision. And, as an excellent gymnastic, I recommended her to
knead the dough and roll the paste; to shake the coverlets and make
the beds; adding, if she trained herself in exercise of this sort she
would enjoy her food, grow vigorous in health, and her complexion
would in very truth be lovelier. The very look and aspect of the wife,
the mistress, seen in rivalry with that of her attendants, being as
she is at once more fair[13] and more beautifully adorned, has an
attractive charm,[14] and not the less because her acts are acts of
grace, not services enforced. Whereas your ordinary fine lady, seated
in solemn state, would seem to court comparison with painted
counterfeits of womanhood.

[12] See Becker, p. 491. Breit., etc., cf. Nicostr. ap. Stob. "Tit."
lxxiv. 61.