1 So why is it surprising when the soul’s desire to join with something beautiful is defeated?
2 Joseph, an example of self-control, is praised for this very thing.He had full control over his sexual desire through mental effort.
3 Although he was a young man in his sexual prime, he defeated his sexual urges with clear thinking.
4 Clear thinking isn’t just being able to have control over strong sexual urges but over every other desire as well.
5 So the Law says, "You will not desire your neighbor’s wife or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
6 Since the Law commanded us not to desire, I should be able to convince you even more that clear thinking is able to control desires.This also proves true in the case of emotions that prevent justice.
7 It is obvious that clear thinking is in charge of the emotions—otherwise, how could someone who always indulges in binge eating in private, or a person who tends to overeat, or a person who tends to get drunk, learn a better way?