29 Reasoning, the universal farmer, purging and pruning each of these, tying up, watering, and transplanting, in every way improves the materials of the morals and affections. (WEB) 30 For reasoning is the leader of the virtues, but it is the sole ruler of the emotions. Observe then first, through the very things which stand in the way of temperance, that reasoning is absolute ruler of the emotions. (WEB) 31 Now temperance consists of a command over the lusts. (WEB) 32 But of the lusts, some belong to the soul and others to the body. Reasoning appears to rule over both. (WEB) 33 Otherwise, how is it that when urged on to forbidden meats, we reject the gratification which would come from them? Isn’t it because reasoning is able to command the appetites? I believe so. (WEB) 34 Hence it is, then, that when craving seafood, birds, four-footed animals, and all kinds of food which are forbidden to us by the law, we withhold ourselves through the mastery of reasoning. (WEB) 35 For the affections of our appetites are resisted by the temperate understanding, and bent back again, and all the impulses of the body are reined in by reasoning. (WEB)
4 Maccabees 1:29–35
Semantically similar passages
4 Maccabees 1:2–4
2 For reason is necessary to everyone as a step to science. In addition, it embraces the praise of self-control, the highest virtue. (WEB) 3 If, then, reasoning appears to hold the mastery over the emotions which stand in the way of temperance, such as gluttony and lust, (WEB)
4 Maccabees 2:3–5
3 For, although young, and ripe for sexual intercourse, he nullified by reasoning the stimulus of his emotions. (WEB) 4 It isn’t merely the stimulus of sensual indulgence, but that of every desire, that reasoning is able to master. (WEB) 5 For instance, the law says, “You shall… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 2:17–19
17 Thus Moses, when angered against Dathan and Abiram, did nothing to them in wrath, but regulated his anger by reasoning. (WEB) 18 For the temperate mind is able, as I said, to be superior to the emotions, and to correct some and destroy others. (WEB) 19 For why else did our most… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 1:18–20
18 The forms of wisdom are self-control, justice, courage, and temperance. (WEB) 19 The leading one of these is self-control, by whose means, indeed, it is that reasoning rules over the emotions. (WEB) 20 Of the emotions, pleasure and pain are the two most comprehensive; and they a… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 3:1–3
1 The argument is exceedingly ridiculous, for reasoning doesn’t appear to rule over its own affections, but over those of the body, (WEB) 2 in such a way as that any one of you may not be able to root out desire, but reasoning will enable you to avoid being enslaved to… (WEB) 3 … (WEB)
4 Maccabees 2:8–10
8 Therefore, a man who regulates his course by the law, even if he is a lover of money, immediately puts pressure on his own disposition by lending to the needy without interest, and cancelling the debt on the seventh year. (WEB) 9 If a man is greedy, he is ruled by the… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 3:16–18
16 Therefore, setting up reasoning in opposition to his desire, he poured out the drink to God. (WEB) 17 For the temperate mind has power to conquer the pressure of the emotions, to quench the fires of excitement, (WEB) 18 and to wrestle down the pains of the body, however excessiv… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 13:15–17
15 for great is the trial of soul and danger of eternal torment laid up for those who transgress the commandment of God. (WEB) 16 Let’s arm ourselves, therefore, in the self-control, which is divine reasoning. (WEB) 17 If we suffer like this, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will receive… (WEB)
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