Of Dyeing the Hair. - ANF04. Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second

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Of Dyeing the Hair.
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Chapter VI.—Of Dyeing the Hair.

I see some (women) turn (the colour of) their hair with saffron. They are ashamed even of their own nation, (ashamed) that their procreation did not assign them to Germany and to Gaul: thus, as it is, they transfer their hair¹⁸⁵

¹⁸⁵ Jam capillos: so Oehler and Rig. But the others read patriam capillo: “they change their country by the instrumentality of their hair.”
(thither)! Ill, ay, most ill, do they augur for themselves with their flame-coloured head,¹⁸⁶

¹⁸⁶ Comp. ad Ux., b. i. c. vi.
and think that graceful which (in fact) they are polluting! Nay, moreover, the force of the cosmetics burns ruin into the hair; and the constant application of even any undrugged moisture, lays up a store of harm for the head; while the sun’s warmth, too, so desirable for imparting to the hair at once growth and dryness, is hurtful. What “grace” is compatible with “injury?” What “beauty” with “impurities?” Shall a Christian woman heap saffron on her head, as upon an altar?¹⁸⁷

¹⁸⁷ Aram.
For, whatever is wont to be burned to the honour of the unclean spirit, that—unless it is applied for honest, and necessary, and salutary uses, for which God’s creature was provided—may seem to be a sacrifice. But, however, God saith, “Which of you can make a white hair black, or out of a black a white?”¹⁸⁸

¹⁸⁸ See Matt. v. 36.
And so they refute the Lord! “Behold!” say they, “instead of white or black, we make it yellow,—more winning in grace.”¹⁸⁹

¹⁸⁹ Gratia faciliorem.
And yet such as repent of having lived to old age do attempt to change it even from white to black! O temerity! The age which is the object of our wishes and prayers blushes (for itself)! a theft is effected! youth, wherein we have sinned,¹⁹⁰

¹⁹⁰ Comp. Ps. xxv. 7 (in LXX. xxiv. 7).
is sighed after! the opportunity of sobriety is spoiled! Far from Wisdom’s daughters be folly so great! The more old age tries to conceal itself, the more will it be detected. Here is a veritable eternity, in the (perennial) youth of your head! Here we have an “incorruptibility” to “put on,”¹⁹¹

¹⁹¹ Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 53.
with a view to the new house of the Lord¹⁹²

¹⁹² Comp. 2 Cor. v. 1.
which the divine monarchy promises! Well do you speed toward the Lord; well do you hasten to be quit of this most iniquitous world,¹⁹³

¹⁹³ Sæculo.
to whom it is unsightly to approach (your own) end!
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