The principle of clear thinking
1 I'm about to prove a most important philosophical principle: godly thinking is supreme over emotions and desires. I would be giving you good advice then to pay close attention to philosophy.
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This principle is essential for knowing what to do in every situation, and it also includes the praise of the highest moral trait—I'm talking about good judgment.
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Therefore, if clear thinking is shown to control the emotions that prevent self-control, such as the tendency to overeat and rampant desire,
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then it is clear that it also rules the emotions that prevent us from acting in a just way, such as ill will, and those emotions that prevent us from acting with courage, such as anger, fear, and pain.
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Perhaps some people would object: "If clear thinking can control emotions, why doesn't it do away with memory loss and ignorance?" But that's just ridiculous.
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The mind doesn't have control over such things, but it controls the emotions and desires that resist justice, courage, and self-control. And it does this so that we won't surrender to the emotions, not in order to destroy them.
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I could show you that clear thinking has power over emotions and desires in any number of ways.
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However, I can do this best by showing you the heroic courage of those who died to preserve their moral character: Eleazar, the seven brothers, and their mother.
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By ignoring their pain to the point of death, all of these persons showed that clear thinking had complete control of their emotions.
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On the anniversary of these events, it is appropriate for me to praise the moral achievements of those who died along with their mother to preserve their virtuous character. I would also call them fortunate because of the honor in which they are held.
11
All people, including the ones who tortured them, were amazed at their courage and patient endurance. What's more, they caused the defeat of the tyranny that had oppressed their nation. They conquered the tyrant by their endurance. As a result, their homeland was purged of its filth through their actions.
12
I will say more about this shortly. First I will begin with my main point, as is my custom, and then I will return to their story, giving glory to God, who possesses all wisdom.