4 Maccabees 8:17

17 "What pitiful and stupid people we must be! When the king has invited and urged us to accept his favor,

4 Maccabees 8:17 In-Context

15 The brothers heard the promises and saw the terrible instruments, but they weren't afraid. Instead, they resisted the tyrant's arguments with their own philosophy and defeated the power of his tyranny through clear thinking.

16 But let's think about what arguments they might have used if they had been cowardly and unmanly. Wouldn't they have argued like this?

17 "What pitiful and stupid people we must be! When the king has invited and urged us to accept his favor,

18 why are we happy to make useless resolutions? Why should we dare to disobey when death will be the outcome?

19 Men and brothers, shouldn't we be afraid of what these instruments can do and carefully consider the threats of torture? We should run away from our useless beliefs and from our pride that will lead to our destruction!