4 Maccabees 1:7

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.

⁶For reasoning does not rule over its own affections, but over such as are contrary to justice, and manliness, and temperance, and prudence; and yet over these, so as to withstand, without destroying them.

— 4 Maccabees 1:7 —

⁸but I shall prove it with the greatest force from the fortitude of Eleazar, and seven brethren, and their mother, who suffered death in defense of virtue.

⁹For all these, contemning pains even unto death, by this contempt, demonstrated that reasoning has command over the passions.