Clement of Alexandria — Stromata 18

It is then clear also that all the other virtues , delineated in Moses , supplied the Greeks with the rudiments of the whole department of morals. I mean valour, and temperance , and wisdom, and justice , and endurance, and patience, and decorum, and self-restraint; and in addition to these, piety . But it is clear to every one that piety , which teaches to worship and honour , is the highest and oldest cause ; and the law itself exhibits justice , and teaches wisdom, by abstinence from sensible images, and by inviting to the Maker and Father of the universe . And from this sentiment, as from a fountain, all intelligence increases. For the sacrifices of the wicked are abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of the upright are acceptable before Him, Proverbs 15:8 since righteousness is more acceptable before God than sacrifice .

Such also as the following we find in Isaiah: To what purpose to me is the multitude of your sacrifices ? Says the Lord; and the whole section. Break every bond of wickedness ; for this is the sacrifice that is acceptable to the Lord, a contrite heart that seeks its Maker. Isaiah 58:6 Deceitful balances are abomination before God ; but a just balance is acceptable to Him. Proverbs 11:1 Thence Pythagoras exhorts not to step over the balance; and the profession of heresies is called deceitful righteousness; and the tongue of the unjust shall be destroyed, but the mouth of the righteous drops wisdom. Proverbs 10:31 For they call the wise and prudent worthless. But it were tedious to adduce testimonies respecting these virtues , since the whole Scripture celebrates them.

Since, then, they define manliness to be knowledge of things formidable, and not formidable, and what is intermediate; and temperance to be a state of mind which by choosing and avoiding preserves the judgments of wisdom; and conjoined with manliness is patience, which is called endurance, the knowledge of what is bearable and what is unbearable; and magnanimity is the knowledge which rises superior to circumstances. With temperance also is conjoined caution, which is avoidance in accordance with reason. And observance of the commandments, which is the innoxious keeping of them, is the attainment of a secure life. And there is no endurance without manliness, nor the exercise of self-restraint without temperance .

And these virtues follow one another; and with whom are the sequences of the virtues , with him is also salvation , which is the keeping of the state of well-being. Rightly, therefore, in treating of these virtues , we shall inquire into them all; for he that has one virtue gnostically, by reason of their accompanying each other, has them all. Self-restraint is that quality which does not overstep what appears in accordance with right reason. He exercises self-restraint, who curbs the impulses that are contrary to right reason, or curbs himself so as not to indulge in desires contrary to right reason.