1
This notion is entirely ridiculous; for it is evident that reason rules not over its own emotions, but over those of the body.
2
No one of us can eradicate that kind of desire, but reason can provide a way for us not to be enslaved by desire.
3
No one of us can eradicate anger from the mind, but reason can help to deal with anger.
4
No one of us can eradicate malice, but reason can fight at our side so that we are not overcome by malice.
5
For reason does not uproot the emotions but is their antagonist.
6
Now this can be explained more clearly by the story of King David's thirst.
7
David had been attacking the Philistines all day long, and together with the soldiers of his nation had slain many of them.
8
Then when evening fell, he came, sweating and quite exhausted, to the royal tent, around which the whole army of our ancestors had encamped.
9
Now all the rest were at supper,
10
but the king was extremely thirsty, and although springs were plentiful there, he could not satisfy his thirst from them.