From Matthew Henry's definition of a virtuous woman:
" . . . pious and prudent, ingenious and industrious, that is active for the good of her household, that makes conscience of her duty in every relation, a woman of spirit, that can bear crosses without disturbance . . . "
Pious: godly, reverencing and honoring God in heart and in practice of duties He has enjoined.
Prudent: cautious; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures or actions; frugal; economical.
Ingenious: possessed of the faculty of invention; skillful or prompt to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations of ideas.
Active for the good of her family.
Looks well to the ways of her household.
A woman of spirit.
Can bear crosses without disturbance.
Conscience of her duty in every relation.
" . . . such a one owns her husband for her head, and therefore she is a crown to him, not only a credit and honor to him, as a crown is an ornament, but supports and keeps up his authority in his family, as a crown is an ensign of power. She is submissive and faithful to him and by her example teaches his children and servants to be so too."
"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown." Proverbs 12:4
(Definitions from the 1928 dictionary.)
