Clement of Alexandria — Paedagogus 12
I would counsel the married never to kiss their wives in the presence of their domestics. For Aristotle does not allow people to laugh to their slaves. And by no means must a wife be seen saluted in their presence. It is moreover better that, beginning at home with marriage, we should exhibit propriety in it. For it is the greatest bond of chastity , breathing forth pure pleasure. Very admirably the tragedy says:— Well! Well! ladies, how is it, then, that among men , Not gold, not empire, or luxury of wealth , Conferred to such an extent signal delights, As the right and virtuous disposition Of a man of worth and a dutiful wife? Such injunctions of righteousness uttered by those who are conversant with worldly wisdom are not to be refused.
Knowing , then, the duty of each, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear : forasmuch as you know that you were not deemed with corruptible things, such as silver or gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ , as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:17-19 For, says Peter, the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles , when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts , excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries. 1 Peter 4:3 We have as a limit the cross of the Lord, by which we are fenced and hedged about from our former sins .
Therefore, being regenerated, let us fix ourselves to it in truth , and return to sobriety, and sanctify ourselves; for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer ; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil . And who is he that will harm us, if we be followers of that which is good ? 1 Peter 3:13 — us for you. But the best training is good order, which is perfect decorum, and stable and orderly power, which in action maintains consistence in what it does. If these things have been adduced by me with too great asperity, in order to effect the salvation which follows from your correction; they have been spoken also, says the Instructor, by me: Since he who reproves with boldness is a peacemaker. And if you hear me, you shall be saved.
And if you attend not to what is spoken, it is not my concern. And yet it is my concern thus: For he desires the repentance rather than the death of a sinner. Ezekiel 18:23 If you shall hear me, you shall eat the good of the land, the Instructor again says, calling by the appellation the good of the land, beauty, wealth , health, strength, sustenance. For those things which are really good, are what neither ear has heard, not has ever entered into the heart 1 Corinthians 2:9 respecting Him who is really King, and the realities truly good which await us. For He is the giver and the guard of good things. And with respect to their participation, He applies the same names of things in this world, the Word thus training in God the feebleness of men from sensible things to understanding.