Liber II, Pars I — Quod tempore frigido, quo flant venti boreales, magis est danda opera procreationi filiorum, quam tempore calido, quo flant australes. Cap. XVII.

Liber II, Pars I — Quod tempore frigido, quo flant venti boreales, magis est danda opera procreationi filiorum, quam tempore calido, quo flant australes. Cap. XVII.

The philosopher states this. He argues. After he proved through many arguments that effort should not be given to marriage at too young an age, he inquires about the time when more effort should be devoted to the procreation of children, and he states that both naturalists and physicians agree that in cold weather, when the north winds blow, it is better to devote effort to marriage than in warm weather when the southern winds blow. We can pursue this in three ways. The first is taken from the perspective of women. The second is from the injury to men. The third is from the disposition of the air. The first way is thus assigned by certain authorities. For in warm weather, the body's pores open, releasing moisture; therefore, the bodies remain dry. Again, when the pores are open, natural heat rises, causing the bodies to remain cold inside. Thus, anyone can experience that in cold weather, when the north wind blows, digestion is better because the internal heat does not rise due to the surrounding cold, but rather it is strengthened and invigorated. Therefore, if women's wombs are warmer in winter, because the heat does not rise from them; and they are more humid, because the moisture does not evaporate, they are more suitable for conception, and perhaps more males are conceived in such times. Thus, the philosopher seems to suggest that sheep, when the northern winds blow, conceive more males; but when the southern winds blow, they conceive more females. Indeed, when the northern winds blow, due to the strengthening of the maternal womb's heat, they can better preserve their offspring and make them more perfect. The second way to investigate this is derived from the injury to the offspring. For men are more harmed if they engage in marital relations during warm weather when the south wind blows than when it is cold with the north wind. In cold weather, when the north winds blow, natural heat is better retained inside, so we can convert more from food. Thus, the use of marital relations in such weather does not harm men's bodies as much, nor does it weaken them, because there is a greater conversion of food. A third way to investigate this is taken from the disposition of the air. For the north wind brings pure air, while the south wind brings turbulent air. According to the Philosopher in the Meteorology, the south wind is conducive to rain. When the air is pure, the constitution of living beings improves, and they produce better offspring. Therefore, in such weather, more effort should be given to marital relations. Thus, all citizens should more often engage in marriage during times when procreation of children is better: this is even more fitting for kings and princes, as it is proper for them to have more noble offspring.