The Eyes and Their Service

Moving beyond other ideas about swimming and observations related to the significance of the eyes, and in this section demonstrate some examples through visual sketches. The poets, speaking of the beauty of the eyes, have not otherwise wrongly stated that there is an enchanting power emitted from them. Thus, a certain artist inscribed beneath a sleeping Venus a note warning viewers not to wake her lest her eyes open. Similarly, wise Syrach advises us not to look intently at maidens, lest we become inflamed against them. On another note, we should turn our eyes away from the beauty of women so as not to gaze upon unfamiliar beauty, because through their eyes, love is ignited like fire. Hence, in chapter 23, a prayer is made for God to protect us from unchaste sights. The holy man Job declared that he had made a covenant with his eyes not to look upon a maiden with lust. Like these men, mostly focused on the seductive desires of the eyes, which only seemed to have the power to ignite impurity. (For as Syrach explains, a woman's profligacy was revealed through the raising of her eyes and eyebrows.) Thus we must note how even the eyes, when properly guided by beauty and decency, can inspire viewers more towards chastity than towards its opposite. Indeed, all dishonest sparks that once were intended...

Translation Notes

Opsigtten der Oogen: The perspectives or significance of the eyes.

Beschouwers: Spectators or viewers, referring to those who look upon or observe art or people.