Bonaventure

In his own words on 1 Maccabees

• 1 Maccabees 2:7

  This virtue gives nobility to the soul. But because at times a man may be indignant at another, there is need for gentleness, which is the remedy against irascibility and anger—not that man should never be angry at all, but that he should be so only in the right circumstances of place and time. Hence, he must have both the face of a man and the face of a lion. At times, however, you believe a man to be kind when he remains silent while knowing of another's sin. Such is not kindness. Listen, therefore: it is said of Jesus that He was troubled, and that He made a kind of whip. Hence, in the First Book of the Machabees, it is written: Woe is me! Wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people and the ruin of the holy city? Jesus is the Lamb and the Lion.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 5

• 1 Maccabees 2:66

  This fortitude ought to be in every Christian and especially in the leader of the army of the Christian people. It is written in the book of Maccabees that "Judas, strong in might from his youth, let him be your prince of the army, and he shall wage the war of the people." Everyone who receives the care of souls becomes a prince of the army; and when the prince is not good, then the army is in great danger.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 5

• 1 Maccabees 3:19

  If we wish to describe fortitude rightly, we must note that it is from heaven. Whence in the book of Machabees: "The victory of war is not in the multitude of the army, but strength is from heaven." Therefore fortitude is a gift of God.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 5