This I don't write to give you any confusion, but by way of remonstrance, to you who are my dear children.

When I formerly writ to you, not to keep company with the vicious:

Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?"

the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife.

have we not a right to meat and drink?

but I have not made use of these advantages. neither have I writ this to obtain such maintenance: for I had rather die for want, than be deprived of such matter of glorying.

thy thanksgiving indeed is right, but the other is not all edified by it.