Reason can see and experience teaches that unrestrained and uncontrolled lust cannot be checked by the sexually incontinent. To check, therefore, the lack of control and restraint among those who suffer from excessive sexual heat, and for many reasons are unable to hurry into or advance the date of their marriage, in order to introduce some control and restraint there seems to be no other relief and refuge but to take a mistress (what in French is called une maitresse).*

It is well known that in some kingdoms there are ordinances preventing many men from getting married before their youth is over, because they have first to perform a tour of duty and to acquire the resources needed to support a household and a family, so that only then can they court a suitable wife. Yet at an earlier age the effervescence of virility in search of a wife can in few cases be kept shut off and in reserve. It is best if it can be reserved, but if this is impossible on account of the unchecked strength of lust, a temporary half-way stage may be sought, which can prevent the destruction of conjugial love. The reasons which favour the taking of a mistress are:

(a) It checks and limits uncontrolled promiscuity, leading to a more restricted condition, more akin to life in marriage.

[2] (b) The ardour of lust which to begin with is excessively heated and as it were burning hot is allayed and moderated, so that the wantonness of sexual desire, a foul thing, is tempered by something analogous to marriage.

[3] (c) By its means strength is not dissipated and weakness induced, as happens as the result of roving and unlimited indulgence.

[4] (d) By its means bodily infection and mental disease are avoided.

[5] (e) Likewise it is a preventative of adultery, that is, illicit relations with wives, and debauchery or violation of virgins, not to mention criminal acts not to be named. For a boy, until he is grown up, has no idea that adultery and debauchery are any different from fornication, but regards one as on a par with the other. Nor does he know how by his reason he can resist the blandishments of some women, who have become dedicated practitioners of prostitution. But he is able by taking a mistress, a more orderly and healthy type of fornication, to learn and see the difference.

[6] (f) Having a mistress also blocks the way to four kinds of lust, which are in the highest degree destructive of conjugial love. These are the lusts for deflowering, for variety, for rape and for the seduction of the innocent; these will be discussed later. These remarks, however, are not directed towards those who are able to repress the drive of lust, nor to those who can enter upon marriage as soon as they grow up, and so offer and present to their wives the first-fruits of their virility. * Since the Latin word pellex can have other meanings, the French equivalent is given in the original to make it clear what is meant here.