She who captures a man by a single charm, be it even beauty, holds him by a weak chain.
Think not it was merely beauty that made Helen or Cleopatra historic.
Beauty is much, and grace is much; but there is a charm more subtle and potent than these.
* * *
Beauty without modesty is a rose without perfume: the petals may delight, but they lack an ineffable savor. Like a flower, too,
Though the tangible petals are numbered and comptable, the subtle perfume eludes the sense and is inexhaustible. For
Modesty is the exhalation of the soul: at once it enhances, as it refines, the potency of beauty. Nay more,
The sacrosanct aureole of modesty beautifies all it surrounds: though it diviner haze imperfection there is none. So,
Given a redolent balm, and the lowliest herb becomes treasured and precious. And
Each human soul has its own individual essence;