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.
"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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"He who wishes to be perfectly obeyed, should give but few orders."
St Philip Neri
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"It is well to choose some one good devotion, and to stick to it, and never to abandon it."
St Philip Neri
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