SOME THOUGHTS ON ANGER

 

          SOME THOUGHTS ON ANGER

Anger is natural. We feel angry when we dislike some situation or when some wrong is done to us. The best response to such situations is tolerance or forgiveness. It has been rightly said  that  anger is never without a reason but seldom a good one.  However, if you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.

Religion does not permit anger. It believes in calmness even in provocative and offensive situations. The best response to such  events is silence, delay of any revengeful action. Better, talk it out with somebody, or express  it on a piece of paper, the result will be cooling down.        

            The Greek philosopher and polymath  Pythagoras said “Anger begins in folly, and ends in repentance; and  according to a Chinese proverb :“The fire you kindle for your enemy often burns yourself more than him.”

 An English divine Isaac Watts (1674-1748 )  believed that to be angry about trifles is mean and childish; and to maintain perpetual wrath is akin to the practice and temper of devils; but to prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.

            I don’t believe in suppression of anger. My approach is  non-injurious, tranquilizing  expression; otherwise it will  keep alive and harm you both physically and mentally.

            Finally, a piece of advice by the American President  Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826):”When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, count a hundred.”

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G.R. Kanwal

6^th June 2024