4 Maccabees 1:1-3

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

The Author’s Definition of His Task

1 The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy. ² For the subject is essential to everyone who is seeking knowledge, and in addition it includes the praise of the highest virtue—I mean, of course, rational judgement. ³ If, then, it is evident that reason rules over those emotions that hinder self-control, namely gluttony and lust,