If therefore the seven brethren despised the tortures even to the death, it is universally proved that the Inspired Reason is supreme lord over the passions.
2For if they had yielded to their passions or sufferings and eaten unclean meat we should have said that they had been conquered thereby.
3But in this case it was not so; on the contrary by their Reason, which was commended in the sight of God, they rose superior to their passions.
4And it is impossible to deny the supremacy of the mind; for they won the victory over their passions and their pains.
5How can we do otherwise than admit right Reason's mastery over passion with these men who shrank not before the agonies of burning?
6For even as towers on harbour-moles repulse the assaults of the waves and offer a calm entrance to those entering the haven, so the seven-towered right Reason of the youths defended the haven of righteousness and repulsed the tempestuousness of the passions.
7They formed a holy choir of righteousness as they cheered one another on, saying:
8'Let us die like brothers, O brethren, for the Law.
9Let us imitate the Three Children at the Assyrian court who despised this same ordeal of the furnace.
10Let us not turn cravens before the proof of righteousness.'
11And one said, 'Brother, be of good cheer,' and another, 'Bear it out nobly'; and another recalling the past, 'Remember of what stock ye are, and at whose fatherly hand Isaac for righteousness' sake yielded himself to be a sacrifice.'
12And each and all of them together, looking at each other brightly and very boldly, said, 'With a whole heart will we consecrate ourselves unto God who gave us our souls, and let us lend our bodies to the keeping of the Law.
13Let us not fear him who thinketh he kills; for a great struggle and peril of the soul awaits in eternal torment those who transgress the ordinance of God.
14Let us then arm ourselves with divine Reason's mastery of the passions.
15After this our passion, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob shall receive us, and all our forefathers shall praise us.'
16And to each separate one of the brothers, as they were dragged off, those whose turn was yet to come said, 'Do not disgrace us, brother, nor be false to our brethren already dead.'