ANGER

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1878

SENECA says: “Anger is an agitation of the mind that proceeds to the resolution of a revenge, the mind assenting to it. It is an idle theory to pretend that we cannot govern our anger; for some things that we do are much harder than others that we ought to do. Thrasippus, in his drink, fell foul upon the cruelties of Pisistratus; who, when he was urged by several to make an example of him, said: ‘Why should I be angry with a man who stumbles upon me blindfold?’ The moderation of Antigonus was remarkable. Some of his soldiers were railing at him one night, where there was but a curtain between them. Antigonus overheard them, and putting it gently aside, ‘Soldiers,’ said he, ‘stand a little farther off, for fear the king should hear you.’”

At another time his soldiers were taken into a foul road, and then they began to curse their leader. He went to them, without making himself known, and helped them out. “Now,” said he, “you may curse him who brought you into the mire, provided you will bless him who took you out.” Philip of Macedonia, the great king, was visited once by ambassadors from Athens. “Tell me, gentlemen,” said he, “what is there that I can do to oblige the Athenians?” Demochoros, one of the ambassadors, replied, that they would regard it as a great favor if he would be pleased to hang himself. Those around the king became very angry at this insult, but Philip coolly replied: “You, the rest of the ambassadors, pray tell the Athenians, that it is worse to speak such things than to hear and forgive them.”

Many Christian professors could learn lessons from these heathen philosophers. So many cannot understand how a man can endure the hard looks, the hard speeches, of those who are angry. It is more easy to bear all in meekness, than to wallow in the mire of anger with them. He who returns anger for anger is no better than he who was first angry. If the outward appearance of anger is so hideous, what must the mind look like? Reason cannot dwell where anger is; nor will good manners, friendship, good counsel, and sincere devotion find a lodgment in the angry heart. It is a vice that has neither pleasure nor profit in it.—Brethren at Work.