Noble Example for the Young
"Such pretense is not worthy of our time of life," he said, "lest many of the young should suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion, and through my pretense, for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age. -- 2 Maccabees 6:24-25
For even if for the present I should avoid the punishment of men, yet whether I live or die I shall not escape the hands of the Almighty. -- 2 Maccabees 6:26
Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age and leave to the young a noble example of how to die a good death willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws." -- 2 Maccabees 6:27-28