1 Is it any wonder? If the lusts of the soul, after participation with what is beautiful, are frustrated, (WEB) 2 on this ground, therefore, the temperate Joseph is praised in that by reasoning, he subdued, on reflection, the indulgence of the senses. (WEB) 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 not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (WEB) 6 Now, then, since it is the law which has forbidden us to desire, I shall much the more easily persuade you, that reasoning is able to govern our lusts, just as it does the affections which are impediments to justice. (WEB)
4 Maccabees 2:1–6
Semantically similar passages
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 1:33–35
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 anim… (WEB)
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)
Mandates 29:2–4
2 For should this desire enter into thine heart, thou wilt go wrong, and should any other as evil as this, thou commitest sin. For this desire in a servant of God is a great sin; and if any man doeth this evil deed, he worketh out death for himself. (HER) 3 Look to it t… (HER)
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 1:29–31
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. O… (WEB)
Sirach 18:29–31
29 They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves, and poured out apt proverbs. (WEB) 30 Don’t go after your lusts. Restrain your appetites. (WEB) 31 If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, she will make you the laughing stock of your enemie… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 6:34–35
34 It is only fair that we should allow that the power belongs to reasoning, since it masters external miseries. (WEB) 35 It would be ridiculous if it weren’t so. I prove that reasoning has not only mastered pains, but that it is also superior to the pleasures, and withst… (WEB)
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