We cannot think highly of the numerous class of women who share in the sins of men, and whatever they say or urge does not count for anything at all. That class of women are emotional and without prudence. The silly coquettes do not see that a man and a woman cannot play this game on even terms, and that the woman takes ten steps forward to the man's one step. They do not comprehend that the woman is always given the side of the path which overhangs the precipice, over which she is sure to tumble, and that another foolish sister will be just as acceptable as a co mate to the man.
We desire the chaste man to be as fine a specimen of manhood as it is possible for him to be, and to particularly avoid being fantastically and obnoxiously good. We do not praise the morality of the eunuch, but that of the strong man. In fact we regard as ridiculous the position of the man who talks well only after his powers are gone. Illegitimate temptations are to be met with certain powerful antidotes, but never by evirating and dissipated practices. Even severe misfortunes can be stemmed if strong health brightens the outlook.
Efficient aids are to be found in athletics, which are the very best counteractives to effeminacy and vice. They give intense and innocent pleasure, and afford natural outlets for superabundant energy. Drinking and immorality do not harmonize with training, and honor compels every member of a team to avoid vicious pursuits. In athletics clean friendships are formed, in the main, and the best of lessons are learned in courage, self restraint, perseverance when tired, and fortitude in acquiescing in defeat and disappointment. On the other hand a sedentary life and a relaxed body conduce to morbidity and erratic explosions of sexual feeling.
But excess either in athletics or in mental pursuits is costly in the reproductive direction. The athletae Were either infertile or had few children, and men of unusual mental power are often childless. This cost of reproduction is so much greater in women than in men, that feminine instances of great mental attainments are usually to be found in those who are barren.
Each male or female is a complete organism and does not need physical help from another in order to live in health. Those who are required to remain for long periods wholly among men do not need women's embraces; but all of us would undoubtedly be the better for the mental and moral love of a wife and of children whose dearness lies beyond that of all other friendships, and intimate physical relationship with one's wife is the highest possible exponent of love. Man needs a wife and children whom he can serve and love, more than he needs them to care for him and to love him.
And now comes another picture, that of the man who has freed himself from the restraints of sexual morality and who lives loosely. The sensualist oscillates from the noble to the ignoble. He diverges from good sense and is untrustworthy, so that no one can predict the sequence of his actions, except that they are liable to result in general harm. He is sometimes good and sometimes bad, and therefore indefinite and disorderly.
He claims the right to satisfy his personal inclinations and by degrees becomes a slave to them. He seemingly wishes to acquire a past, for the wiping out of which he would give up all that he possessed.
The depravities of the libertine are unoriginal and vulgar, even though hidden under the well sounding word good fellowship. The tawdry flowers which make up the bouquet of vice are interspersed with many drooping buds and blossoms.
An indurated palate is required for enjoyment in drinking the dregs from the cup of depravity. Each sip, the first more than the last, corrodes and vitiates the taste, and the chronic use of such a stimulant has momentous effects which soon cast a gloom over one's brightest prospects.