4 Maccabees 16:1-3

Revised Standard Version

16 If, then, a woman, advanced in years and mother of seven sons, endured seeing her children tortured to death, it must be admitted that devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. ² Thus I have demonstrated not only that men have ruled over the emotions, but also that a woman has despised the fiercest tortures. ³ The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage, nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mish′ael so intensely hot, as was her innate parental love, inflamed as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways.