You think, perhaps, that dances cannot hurt you, because you have been educated in the practice of Christian virtues, because you love virtue and fear evil, and because you are disposed to resist all the attacks of the tempter, and repress all the irregular motions of concupiscence; you are in error: all that you see at balls, all that you hear at them, all that you feel, will soon make you lose sight of the good resolutions you have taken, and the religious principles that you have received; will substitute for your virtues the most dishonoring vices, and, instead of this beautiful modesty, that ornaments your looks and appearance, will make you adopt the impudence of those who know not how to blush. However strong in virtue you may be, a fatal experience will teach you soon that it is as impossible for you to be in the bosom of corruption without being corrupted, as it is to be in the midst of flames and not be burned.
Advice to a young woman
This book warning against the dangers of modern dances is not currently in publication, though a traditional publisher is in the process of bringing it back into print. For the time being, you can read the book on Archive.org
