1And the most admirable of all: although being old, although his body was already relaxed, his muscles flabby and his nerves weak, he was rejuvenated.
2By the spirit of reason and the reason of Isaac, he rendered ineffective the many heads of the torture instrument.
3O blessed old age and venerable gray hair and life according to the law, which the faithful seal of death perfected!
4If, then, an old man despised tortures unto death for the sake of piety, it must be acknowledged that pious reason is sovereign over the passions.
5Some may say: Not everyone is master of their passions, because not everyone has prudent reason.
6But as many as have cared for piety with all their heart, only these are able to master the passions of the flesh.
7Believing that, like our patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they do not die to God, but live to God.
8There is no contradiction, therefore, in that some people seem to be dominated by their passions because of the weakness of their reason.
9For who, philosophizing with the whole rule of philosophy, trusts in God.
10And knows that it is blessed to endure any pain for the sake of virtue, will he not overcome the passions for the sake of piety?