DE CIVILITATE MORVM On Civility in Manners

LIII.

Why should the posture of the body not be neglected in boys? So that they do not, through custom turned into nature, deform their bodies by a posture contrary to nature. For things learned in tender years cling more tenaciously. Hence that saying: "The jar will long retain the odor with which it was once seasoned when new" A line from Horace, Epistles 1.2.69.

LIIII.

Is it fitting to twist the arm behind the back, or to put the hands on the hips? By no means, since one is the sign of a sluggard, and the other of a thief, a boaster, and a meddler The text likely refers to the stock characters of Thraso the braggart soldier and Ardelio the busybody.

LV.

What kind of body postures are approved as elegant and decent? Not those that please the foolish or the delicate courtiers, but those that are consistent with nature and reason.

LVI.
Are the members to which nature has added shame to be exposed? By no means: but if necessity compels you to uncover them, you shall do it with decent modesty, believing that angels