1. The argument is exceedingly ridiculous: for reasoning does not appear to bear sway over its own affections, but over those of the body,
2. in such a way as that any one of you may not be able to root out desire, but reasoning will enable you to avoid being enslaved to it.
3. One may not be able to root out anger from the soul, but it is possible to withstand anger.
4. Any one of you may not be able to eradicate malice, but reasoning has force to work with you to prevent you yielding to malice.