14 Don’t think it’s strange that clear thinking should have control over hatred between enemies. Because of the Law, we don’t cut down an enemy’s orchard in war, but instead we try to keep an enemy’s property safe from destruction and help rebuild what has fallen down.
15 clear thinking even keeps the more violent emotions in check, like the thirst for power, desire for glory, pride, self-importance, and jealousy.
16 The sensible mind rejects these destructive emotions, along with anger, because it rules over that emotion as well.
17 When Moses was angry at Dathan and Abiram, he didn’t act against them in anger. Instead, he controlled his anger with clear thinking.
18 The sensible mind, as I have said, is able to get the upper hand over the emotions, transforming some and defeating others.
19 If this were not the case, why did Jacob our wise ancestor denounce the households of Simeon and Levi for the unreasonable killing of the whole nation of Shechem, saying, "Their anger is cursed"?
20 If clear thinking couldn’t control anger, he wouldn’t have said this.