Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. St. Ambrose (De Offic. i 19) says that thebody should be clad and adorned appropriately, unaffectedly,simply; not in an overnice fashion, nor with costly and dazzlingapparel. Modesty has a place in regulating the attire. In dress, asin all outward things, there is a reasonable and decent norm. Dressshould not conflict too gaudily with established custom, providedthe custom itself is decent. Nor should dress too largely absorb aperson's interest and attention, for excessive pleasure indress is vainglory. On the other hand, a person offends modesty byslovenliness in dress, and by negligence, and by want ofcleanliness. A person also offends by seeking the reputation of onewho is wholly unconcerned with such things as his appearance andattire; thus a man makes his very negligence a matter ofvainglory.
2. Modesty in dress is particularly important for women.For a woman's attire may incite a man to lust, whereas it isquite unlikely that a man's dress should be any incitement to awoman. In point of dress and adornment, a married woman shouldstrive, within the bounds of decency, dignity, and modesty, toplease her husband. Unmarried women should avoid all that can becalled lewd or extreme. For the rest, neither woman nor man shoulddress for mere frivolity, vanity, or display.
"Those who love God are always happy, because their whole happiness is to fulfill, even in adversity, the will of God."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"Lord, here burn, here cut, and dry up in me all that hinders me from going to You, that You may spare me in eternity."
St Louis Bertrand
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"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"
St Augustine
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