21.
The Germans differ much from these usages, for they
have neither Druids to preside over sacred offices, nor do they pay
great regard to sacrifices. They rank in the number of the gods those alone whom
they behold, and by whose instrumentality they are obviously benefited, namely,
the sun, fire, and the moon; they have not heard of the other deities even by
report. Their whole life is occupied in hunting and in the pursuits of the
military art; from childhood they devote themselves to fatigue and hardships.
Those who have remained chaste for the longest time, receive the greatest
commendation among their people; they think that by this the growth is promoted,
by this the physical powers are increased and the sinews are strengthened. And
to have had knowledge of a woman before the twentieth year they reckon among the
most disgraceful acts; of which matter there is no concealment, because they
bathe promiscuously in the rivers and [only] use skins or small cloaks of deer's
hides, a large portion of the body being in consequence naked.
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