He who wishes to marry ought to take for a wife one whose fortune is
conformable to his own, in order that he may not contract nuptials
either above or beneath his condition, but analogous to the property
which he possesses. For those who marry a woman above their condition
have to contend for the mastership; for the wife, surpassing her
husband in wealth and lineage, wishes to rule over him; but he
considers it to be unworthy of him, and preternatural to submit to
his wife. But those who marry a woman beneath their condition subvert
the dignity and splendour of their family. It is necessary, however,
on this occasion to imitate the musician, who, having learned the
proper tone of his voice, endeavours to bring it to such a medium
that it may be rendered sufficiently sharp and flat, and may be
neither broken, nor lose its intenseness. Thus, therefore, it is
necessary that wedlock should be coadapted to the peculiar tone of
the soul, so that the husband and wife may not only accord with each
other in prosperous, but also in adverse fortune. It is requisite,
therefore, that the husband should be the regulator, master, and
preceptor of his wife. The regulator, indeed, in paying diligent
attention to her affairs; but the master, in governing and exercising
authority over her; and the preceptor in teaching her such things as
it is fit for her to know. This, however, will be especially effected
by him who, directing his attention to worthy parents, marries from
their family a virgin in the flower of her youth. For such virgins
are easily fashioned, and are docile; and are also naturally well
disposed to be instructed by, and to fear and love their husbands.