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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;
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now it is not so: but by means of the reasoning which is praised by God, they mastered their passions.
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And it is impossible to overlook the leadership of reflection: for it gained the victory over both passions and troubles.
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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?
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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.
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For having arranged a holy choir of piety, they encouraged one another, saying,
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Brothers, may we die brotherly for the law. Let us imitate the three young men in Assyria who despised the equally afflicting furnace.
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Let us not be cowards in the manifestation of piety.
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And one said, Courage, brother; and another, Nobly endure.
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And another, Remember of what stock ye are; and by the hand of our father Isaac endured to be slain for the sake of piety.