bring to reason

When excommunication failed to bring to reason restless vassals or encroaching neighbors, there was prompt recourse to the fleshly arm, and the plundered peasant could not distinguish between the ravages of the robber baron and of the representative of Christ.

The Prussians don't seem to have any feelings of revenge, but regard the French as a set of lunatics whom they are going to bring to reason.

The essential thing was to obtain the consent of the governed; but they were turbulent, torn by factions, and hard to bring to reason.

Used in conversation for "to bring to reason."

His practical spirit judged with a smile that a handful of peasantry and grenadiers would suffice to bring to reason this dynastically-minded people.