1
If then, the seven brethren despised troubles even unto death, it is confessed on all sides that righteous reasoning is absolute master over the passions.
2
For just as if, had they as slaves to the passions, eaten of the unholy, we should have said that they had been conquered by the;
3
now it is not so: but by means of the reasoning which is praised by God, they mastered their passions.
4
And it is impossible to overlook the leadership of reflection: for it gained the victory over both passions and troubles.
5
How, then, can we avoid according to these men mastery of passion through right reasoning, since they drew not back from the pains of fire?
6
For just as by means of towers projecting in front of harbours men break the threatening waves, and thus assure a still course to vessels entering port,
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so that seven-towered right-reasoning of the young men, securing the harbour of religion, conquered the intermperance of passions.
8
For having arranged a holy choir of piety, they encouraged one another, saying,
9
Brothers, may we die brotherly for the law. Let us imitate the three young men in Assyria who despised the equally afflicting furnace.
10
Let us not be cowards in the manifestation of piety.