The subject of my discourse is extremely philosophical, namely: whether pious reason is sovereign over the passions.

2I invite you, therefore, to consider seriously this philosophy, which is necessary for all who seek knowledge, and moreover includes the praise of the highest virtue, I mean, prudence.

3If then it is demonstrated that reason is sovereign over the passions that impede temperance, such as gluttony and lust;

4It is also clearly sovereign over the passions that impede justice, such as malice, and over those that impede courage, such as anger, fear and pain.

5Some may ask: Why, if reason is sovereign over the passions, does it not govern forgetfulness and ignorance?

6This objection is absurd, for reason is not sovereign over its own passions, but over those contrary to justice, courage and temperance.

7And over these reason is sovereign, not to destroy them, but so that we do not yield to them.

8There are many arguments that I could present to prove that reason is sovereign over the passions.

9But the best proof would be the courage of those who died for virtue: Eleazar, the seven brothers and their mother.

10For all these, despising pain unto death, demonstrated that reason is sovereign over the passions.