4 Maccabees 1:3

¹As I am going to demonstrate a most philosophical proposition, namely, that religious reasoning is absolute master of the passions, I would willingly advise you to give the utmost heed to philosophy.

²For reason is necessary to everyone as a step to science: and more especially does it embrace the praise of prudence, the highest virtue.

— 4 Maccabees 1:3 —

⁴it surely also and manifestly has the rule over the affections which are contrary to justice, such as malice; and of those which are hindrances to manliness, as wrath, and pain, and fear.

⁵How, then, is it, perhaps some may say, that reasoning, if it rule the affections, is not also master of forgetfulness and ignorance? They attempt a ridiculous argument.