The lawful wives of the Persian kings sit beside them at dinner, and eat with
them. But when the kings wish to be merry and get drunk, they send their
wives away, and send for their music-girls and concubines.1 In so far they
are right in what they do, because they do not concede any share in their
licentiousness and debauchery to their wedded wives. If therefore a man in
private life, who is incontinent and dissolute in regard to his pleasures,
commit some peccadillo with a paramour or a maidservant, his wedded wife
ought not to be indignant or angry, but she should reason that it is respect
for her which leads him to share his debauchery, licentiousness, and
wantonness with another woman.
[p. 311]
1 Cf. Moralia, 613 A.