Horace:
Vel nos in mare proximum
Gemmas & lapides aurum & inutile
Summi materiem mali mittamus
“Let us cast into the nearest sea gold, gems, and stones, the useless matter of the greatest evil.â€
For it would be the beauty that results from ourtoilwhichenchantspeople.
Inasmuchasthebeauty of glass and crystal results from art rather than from
nature, their value varies only insofar as nature varies their scarcity,*
I would like the good philosopher — after he has rid himself of earthly deceptions and after having virtually dehumanized him self and has so raised himself above the others that he is able to laugh at us poor mortals and amuse himself —
when he has then separated himself from these ideas and returned down here to mix in society — which will, of course, force the needs of life upon him — I would like him to return as a common man and not as a philosopher.
How to elevate the beauty of women
Leaving these considerations- aside, considerations spawned‘Out of superficial and imperfect ideas, we con clude at once that those sul^stances which enhance the respect of men, increase the beauty of women and the amiability of children are useful and deservedly pre cious.