17
When Moses was angry with Dathan and Abiram, he did nothing against them in anger, but controlled his anger by reason.
18
For, as I have said, the temperate mind is able to get the better of the emotions, to correct some, and to render others powerless.
19
Why else did Jacob, our most wise father, censure the households of Simeon and Levi for their irrational slaughter of the entire tribe of the Shechemites, saying, "Cursed be their anger"?
20
For if reason could not control anger, he would not have spoken thus.
21
Now when God fashioned human beings, he planted in them emotions and inclinations,
22
but at the same time he enthroned the mind among the senses as a sacred governor over them all.
23
To the mind he gave the law; and one who lives subject to this will rule a kingdom that is temperate, just, good, and courageous.
24
How is it then, one might say, that if reason is master of the emotions, it does not control forgetfulness and ignorance?