The text discusses the concept of beauty in human figures, comparing Quintia and Lesbia. Quintia is seen as aesthetically pleasing but lacks grace and charm, whereas Lesbia is deemed truly beautiful due to her delicate allure. Simplicity and modesty are emphasized as elevating true beauty, with historical references to Semiramis, who eschewed adornment, illustrating the value of natural grace.
The Beauty of Human Figures.
Page 25 compares Quintia and Lesbia, weighing them against each other: He says not infrequently that figures Quintia as beautiful, yet, in my opinion, although she is fair in complexion and elegant in body length and limbs, I cannot agree that one must regard her as truly beautiful. This is because within such a large body there is no grace, not even a crumb of charm. Lesbia, by contrast, is truly beautiful. From head to toe, she is perfectly beautiful and possesses such delicate allure that creatures might be adorned with them in a most subtle and clandestine manner.
Often, simplicity and modesty elevate beauty to the highest degree, where the absence of common embellishments can lead to notable improvements. This is seen in those whose beauty derives from an innate quality and unforced grace that gives all adornment a superior aspect. Semiramis, the Assyrian queen, was considered the most beautiful woman of her age yet eschewed all adornments and accessories to enhance her beauty. It seems that in her was found what Cicero elsewhere comments on as a kind of diligent simplicity. Thus, it is often remarked that many women do not suit adornment well: how frequently do we see that women are better adorned when their hair is slightly loose, hanging naturally about the head, with the neck somewhat free, and the bosom modestly exposed, rather than burdened by excessive decoration.