The 3rd And 4th Books Of Maccabees Scholars Choice Edition PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. Excerpt: ... THE FOURTH BOOK OF MACCABEES I. 1-12. General Statement of the Subject 1.1. Since the subject I propose to discuss is most philosophical, namely whether God-directed Reason has complete authority over the passions, I would earnestly counsel you to give serious attention to its philosophy. 2. For the subject is necessary to everyone as a branch of knowledge, and also it includes the praise of the highest of virtues, which is prudence. 3. If then Reason is seen to control 1. 1. The word for Reason is not Logos, but Logismos, a term already in use among the Stoics. For the tr. "Goddirected," see Intr. p. xiv. The adj. so translated was also used more or less technically in Jewish writings to denote the Chasidint, or strictly orthodox party of the Law. The phrase "God-directed Reason" therefore, which occurs constantly throughout the book, is well suited to express its special standpoint in the combination of Jewish orthodoxy with the best of Hellenic philosophy. 2. Again the terms are technical. The qualities named are the four Stoic virtues--prudence (wisdom or right judgement), temperance (or self-control), justice, and courage (cf. verse 6). They occur also in Wis. viii. 7, and constantly in Philo. In v. 23 f. righteousness, or piety, is substituted for prudence; cf. also ii. 23. "Passions" must be understood in its older sense, including the emotions and affections. *7 the passions which hinder temperance, that is to say gluttony and lust, 4. it is also clearly shown to be superior to the passions which stand in the way of justice, such as malice, and to those which stand in the way of courage, anger pain and fear. 5. How then, some may ask, if Reason rules the passions, is it not superior to forgetfulness and ignorance? Their attempt...