Now reason is the mind that with sound logic prefers the life of wisdom.

Thus, as soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to those who plead for assistance and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives.

At a time when our ancestors were enjoying profound peace because of their observance of the law and were prospering, so that even Seleucus Nicanor, king of Asia, had both appropriated money to them for the temple service and recognized their way of life—

Now there was a certain Simon, a political opponent of the noble and good man Onias, who then held the high priesthood for life. When, despite bringing charges against him on behalf of the nation, he was unable to injure Onias, he fled the country with the purpose of betraying it.

You, O king, shall not defile the honorable mouth of my old age nor my long life lived lawfully.

For it would be irrational if, having lived in accordance with truth up to old age and having guarded the reputation of a life lived lawfully, we should now change our course

Make my blood their purification, and take my life in exchange for theirs.”

No city besieged with many ingenious war machines has ever held out as did that most holy man. Although his sacred life was consumed by tortures and racks, he conquered the besiegers because reason was shielding his piety.

O man in harmony with the law and philosopher of divine life!

O man of blessed age and of venerable gray hair and of law-abiding life, whom the faithful seal of death has perfected!

Trust me, then, and you will receive positions of authority in my government if you will renounce the ancestral tradition of your national life.

Enjoy your youth by adopting the Greek way of life and by changing your manner of living.

Why do we banish ourselves from this most pleasant life and deprive ourselves of this delightful world?

When he had said this, the devout youth broke the thread of life.

No, by the blessed death of my brothers, by the eternal destruction of the tyrant, and by the everlasting life of the pious, I will not renounce our noble family ties.

but on you he will take vengeance both in this present life and when you are dead.”

After he had uttered these imprecations, he flung himself into the braziers and so ended his life.

There the brothers spent the same length of time and were shaped during the same period of time, and growing from the same blood and through the same life, they were brought to the light of day.

She loved piety more, the piety that preserves them for eternal life according to God’s promise.

Remember that it is through God that you have had a share in the world and have enjoyed life,

“Here lie buried an aged priest and an aged woman and seven children because of the violence of the tyrant who wished to destroy the way of life of the Hebrews.

for on that day virtue gave the awards and tested them for their endurance. The prize was immortality in endless life.

because of which they now stand before the divine throne and live the life of eternal blessedness.

In the time of my maturity I remained with my husband, and when these sons had grown up their father died. A fortunate man was he, who lived out his life with good children and did not have the grief of bereavement.

He recounted to you Solomon’s proverb, ‘There is a tree of life for those who do his will.’