4 Maccabees 7:16-18

Revised Standard Version

¹⁶ If, therefore, because of piety an aged man despised tortures even to death, most certainly devout reason is governor of the emotions. ¹⁷ Some perhaps might say, “Not every one has full command of his emotions, because not every one has prudent reason.” ¹⁸ But as many as attend to religion with a whole heart, these alone are able to control the passions of the flesh,