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.
9
If one is greedy, one is ruled by the law through reason so that one neither gleans the harvest nor gathers the last grapes from the vineyard. In all other matters we can recognize that reason rules the emotions.
10
For the law prevails even over affection for parents, so that virtue is not abandoned for their sakes.
11
It is superior to love for one's wife, so that one rebukes her when she breaks the law.
12
It takes precedence over love for children, so that one punishes them for misdeeds.
13
It is sovereign over the relationship of friends, so that one rebukes friends when they act wickedly.
14
Do not consider it paradoxical when reason, through the law, can prevail even over enmity. The fruit trees of the enemy are not cut down, but one preserves the property of enemies from marauders and helps raise up what has fallen.