1But since that decorum is seen in all deeds and words, and finally in the movement and posture of the body, and consists in three things, beauty, order, and adornment suited to action, things hard to put into words, but it will be enough for them to be understood, and since in these three is also contained that concern to win the approval of those with whom and among whom we live, let a few words be said on these matters too. 1To begin with, nature herself seems to have taken great account of our body, for she placed in plain view our outward appearance and the rest of our figure, in which there was an honourable appearance, whereas those parts of the body which, given for nature's needs, would have had an ugly and foul aspect, she covered and hid away.
127This so careful design of nature human modesty has imitated. 127For what nature has hidden, all who are of sound mind likewise keep from sight, and they take care to attend to necessity itself as secretly as possible; 127and those parts of the body whose functions are necessary they call neither the parts nor their functions by their own names; 127and what it is not shameful to do, provided it is done in secret, it is obscene to speak of. 127So neither is the open performance of those acts free from indecency, nor is obscenity of speech. 128Nor indeed should we listen to the Cynics, or to those Stoics who were almost Cynics, who censure and mock us because we consider shameful in words things that are not disgraceful, while we call by their own names things that are disgraceful.
128Robbery, fraud and adultery are shameful in fact, but are spoken of without obscenity; 128begetting children is honourable in fact, obscene in name; 128and many more arguments to this effect are put forward by the same men against modesty. 128But let us follow nature and shun everything that offends the approval of eyes and ears; 128let standing, walking, sitting, reclining, the face, the eyes, the movement of the hands, keep to that decorum. 129In these matters two things above all are to be avoided: that anything be effeminate or soft, and that anything be harsh or boorish. 129Nor should we concede to actors and orators that these rules are fitting for them, but of no concern to us.
129The custom of actors, indeed, from old discipline involves such modesty that no one goes on stage without a loincloth; 129for they fear that, if by some chance it should happen that certain parts of the body are exposed, they may be seen indecently. 129By our custom, indeed, grown sons do not bathe with their fathers, nor sons-in-law with their fathers-in-law. 129Modesty of this kind must therefore be kept, especially with nature herself as teacher and guide.