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Concerning Virgins (De Virginibus) is a series of letters, compiled into three “books,” St. Ambrose wrote to his sister, Manellia, These, perhaps Ambrose's earliest writings, were written in 377 CE. Written in a rather light-handed non-technical style they appear as ethical guides to women who are contemplating entering nunneries. More importantly, they set the tone for Ambrose's later writing on ethics. Concerning Virgins was referred to by other patristic writers including St. Jerome, St Augustine and Cassian, and are now included in the extra-biblical cannon of the early church fathers. (Summary by Gary Gilberd)

Composed about A.D. 391., this treatise of St. Ambrose may as well be called "Concerning Christian Virtues" as it practically offers to the reader a whole bouquet of Christian virtues. St. Ambrose, esteeming very highly the dignity of the ministerial office, was most desirous that the clergy of his diocese should live worthily of their high vocation, and be good and profitable examples to the people. The language of the book is eloquent, the style noble, the thought abundant in both imagery and rhetoric, and the philosophical and moral contents - pithy, fragrant and heart-commanding. (Summary by Euthymius)

One favorite topic of his was the excellence of virginity, and so successful was he in persuading maidens to adopt the religious profession that many a mother refused to permit her daughters to listen to his words. The saint was forced to refute the charge that he was depopulating the empire, by quaintly appealing to the young men as to whether any of them experienced any difficulty in finding wives. He contends, and the experience of ages sustains his contention (De Virg., vii) that the population increases in direct proportion to the esteem in which virginity is held. ( Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). <a href="https://archive.org/stream/V01CatholicEncyclopediaKOfC#page/n427/mode/2up">St. Ambrose</a>. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.)

The value of this work is not limited to virgins. For although the author, Saint Ambrose of Milan, wrote this for his sister, the nun, Saint Marcellina, my hope is that this recording will prove edifying to all who desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in chastity. (Summary by the Reader)

Two related addresses occasioned by the unexpected death of Ambrose's brother Satyrus: On the Death of a Brother (De excessu fratris Satyri) and On the Belief in the Resurrection. - Summary by InTheDesert