על יוסף י״אOn Joseph 11
א׳
1[54] Moses has now set before us three characteristics of the statesman, his shepherd-craft, his household-management, his self-control. We have dealt with the two first, but the last-named has quite as much bearing on statesmanship.
ב׳
2[55] While in all the affairs of life self-mastery is a source of profit and safety, it is particularly so in affairs of state, as those who will may learn from plentiful and obvious examples.
ג׳
3[56] Who does not know the misfortunes which licentiousness brings to nations and countries and whole latitudes of the civilized world on land and sea? For the majority of wars, and those the greatest, have arisen through amours and adulteries and the deceits of women, which have consumed the greatest and choicest part of the Greek race and the barbarian also, and destroyed the youth of their cities.
ד׳
4[57] And, if the results of licentiousness are civil strife and war, and ill upon ill without number, clearly the results of continence are stability and peace and the acquisition and enjoyment of perfect blessings.