Conjugial Love (Acton) n. 469

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

469. The reasons why by many men the meretricious wife is nevertheless retained in the home are: 1. That the man fears to contest the suit with his wife, to accuse her of adultery, and thus to publish her crime abroad; for unless the testimony of eyewitnesses or the equivalent thereof resulted in her conviction, he Would be covered with reproaches, covert in assemblies of men and open in assemblies of women. 2. He fears also clever pleas in exculpation of his adulterous wife, and likewise the favoring of her by the judge, and thus the dishonoring of his name. 3. Besides the above, there are advantages in regard to domestic uses which dissuade him from separating her from the home, as, for instance, if they have small children towards whom even the love of an adulterous wife is maternal; if between them and conjoining them are mutual services which cannot be broken off; if the wife have parental inheritances or patronage from relatives or acquaintances and there is hope of fortune from them; if in the beginning he had enjoyed loving companionship with her; and if after becoming an adulteress she knows how cleverly to soothe the man with flattering pleasantries and pretended civilities, that she may not be accused; besides other reasons. What in themselves are legitimate causes of divorce, are also legitimate causes of concubinage. The reasons for the wife's retention in the home when she has committed whoredom do not take away the cause of divorce. Who but a man of vile character can observe the rights of the conjugial bed and share the couch with an adulteress? If this is done here and there it is not conclusive.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church