4 Maccabees 1:6-8

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁶ For reason does not rule its own passions but those that are opposed to justice, courage, and self-control,^[a] and it is not for the purpose of destroying them but so that one may not give way to them.

⁷ I could prove to you from many and various examples that reason^[b] is absolute ruler over the passions,^{(A) 8} but I can demonstrate it best from the noble bravery of those who died for the sake of virtue: Eleazar and the seven brothers and their mother.^(B)