Clement of Alexandria · a new plain-English translation from the original language
Similar too, in the matter of footwear, are the pretentious women who display the same great silliness here as well. Truly shameful are those sandals on which golden flowers are set, and moreover they see fit to have the nails hammered into the soles in spiral patterns, and many even engrave love-tokens upon them, so that, as it were, by the pressure of each step they may stamp the earth and imprint the mark of a courtesan's disposition through their very walk. We must therefore bid farewell to the vain artistry of gilded and bejeweled sandals, and to Attic buskins, Sicyonian shoes, and cothurni, and to Persian and Tyrrhenian footwear, and having set before ourselves, as is our custom, the true and upright aim, we must choose what is according to nature. For the use of shoes is twofold: one is for the protection of the feet, the other is for guarding against stumbling and against the roughness of mountain paths, preserving the sole of the foot. To women, then, white footwear may be allowed, except when they are on a journey, in which case oiled leather should be used. Women who travel need soles fitted with nails. But for the most part they ought to use footwear; for it is not fitting for a woman to display her foot bare, and besides, a woman is prone to slip and be hurt. For a man, on the other hand, going unshod is altogether fitting, except when he is on campaign. For somehow being shod is akin to being bound. Indeed it is most conducive to discipline to use the feet bare, and it is suited to health and ease of movement, wherever no necessity prevents it. But if we are not journeying, and yet cannot bear to go unshod, we should use light sandals or slippers; the Attic people called these "dust-treaders," because, I think, the feet in them draw near to the dust. A sufficient witness to simple footwear is John, who confessed himself unworthy to loose the strap of the Lord's sandals. For he who pointed out the pattern of the true philosophy for the Hebrews was not shod in anything elaborate. Whether this too hints at something further will be shown elsewhere.
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