I mean, since the reason sometimes masters the passions (for we say so in the case of the man of self control), and the passions again conversely master the reason (as happens in the case of the incontinent), since, then, the irrational part of the soul, being vicious, masters the reason, which is well disposed (for the incontinent man is of this kind), the reason in like manner, being in a bad condition, will master the passions, which are well disposed and have their proper excellence, and if this should be the case, the result will be a bad use of excellence (for the reason being in a bad condition and using excellence will use it badly); now such a result would appear paradoxical.