1
And why is it amazing that the desires of the mind for the enjoyment of beauty are rendered powerless?
2
It is for this reason, certainly, that the temperate Joseph is praised, because by mental effort he overcame sexual desire.
3
For when he was young and in his prime for intercourse, by his reason he nullified the frenzy of the passions.
4
Not only is reason proved to rule over the frenzied urge of sexual desire, but also over every desire.
5
Thus the law says, "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife or anything that is your neighbor's."
6
In fact, since the law has told us not to covet, I could prove to you all the more that reason is able to control desires. Just so it is with the emotions that hinder one from justice.
7
Otherwise how could it be that someone who is habitually a solitary gormandizer, a glutton, or even a drunkard can learn a better way, unless reason is clearly lord of the emotions?
8
Thus, as soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to the needy and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives.