Gentlemen: Beware of Mute Virgins

When scrutinizing a potential mate, be sure you figure out his or her disposition before you decide to marry. Many of the "best govern'd men," writes John Milton in his famous Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, "knows not that the bashfull muteness of a virgin may oft-times hide all the unliveliness and naturall sloth which is really unfit for conversation." Translation: she may be less bashful than utterly stupid.