Ch. XXVII. Anger

Qui irascitur fratri suo reus erit iudicio (Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of judgment).—MATT. v. 22. ANGER, the sixth of the deadly sins, is an inordinate emotion, transport of the soul, which impels us to reject with violence anything that thwarts us.

It is an emotion—that is, an agitation which troubles the calm of the soul, which inflames and enkindles the blood, producing within man a tempest which soon breaks forth in violent words and actions.

It is an inordinate transport, for it is neither ruled nor guided by reason, which should always remain mistress of the soul's movements, as a driver must always hold the reins, if he would not have the steeds run away with him. Anger rejects the obstacles, whether persons or things, which cross its path. It is not forbidden to resist an unjust aggression; we are even permitted to remove any contradiction, when we can do so by lawful means; but very often it is necessary to charitably endure it. Charity beareth all things (1 Cor. xiii. 7). Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good (Rom. xii. 21). What a man cannot amend in himself or others he must bear with patience till God ordains otherwise (Imit. i. 16). Anger repels what thwarts it, and repels it with violence after the manner of unreasoning animals. It is necessary at times to use force, but it should be used with reflection; then it becomes laudable energy. Unreasoning force, the effect of anger, is brute violence.

Let us consider the sins anger produces, the evils it causes, and the remedies against it.

I. How do we sin by anger? 1st. Anger engenders a multitude of sins, which are divided into three classes: Interior sins—of hatred, contempt, aversion, desire of vengeance; sins in words—against God and our neighbor, blasphemies, imprecations, raillery, disputes, detraction, calumny; sins in action—disputes, wrangles, unlawful violence, evil proceedings and injustices against our neighbor.

Anger has degrees: it is first simple impatience, an irritable emotion; then it becomes a transport which may reach the pitch of fury, rage, frenzy. It resembles the heat of iron, which increases in intensity to a red heat, then to incandescence. Hence the expressions burning with anger, boiling with rage, inflamed with wrath. . . .

While anger is kept within certain limits, and we are not immoderately moved by it, it is only a venial fault; when it is violent and leads us into some great sin against God or our neighbor it becomes a mortal sin.

II. The evils of anger. Anger is a very fatal vice, both to him who allows himself to be governed by it and to those upon whom it is exercised.

1st. To him who allows this passion to govern him—it robs him of his dignity, making him a sort of beast, a surly dog, a vicious wolf, a frenzied animal, a madman: ira furor brevis est.

It robs him of all power of persuasion: Thou art angry, says the proverb, therefore thou art in the wrong. A moderate man is always heeded, like one of the ancients who said to a violent counsellor: Strike, but hear me.

It robs him of the affection and confidence of his fellow-men. A violent man is not loved; he makes himself enemies everywhere.

It deprives him of judgment and prudence. Anger is an evil counsellor; it leads man astray by blinding him It destroys interior peace, and even health.

It deprives him of eternal salvation by leading him to blasphemy and other grave sins.

2d. Anger is equally fatal to others. It disturbs the peace of families and causes the most deplorable evils in society—hatreds, murders, and sometimes disastrous wars.

III. Remedies. To calm the anger of others nothing is more efficacious than a peaceful silence, a sweet moderation, or a kind, modest answer. A mild answer breaketh wrath, says the Scripture, but a harsh word stirreth up fury (Prov. xv. 1).

To cure ourselves of anger or to preserve ourselves from the vice we must devote ourselves to the practice of Christian patience, to imitating the sweetness, the humility and silence of Jesus Christ, conquering ourselves with generosity after the example of St. Francis de Sales. We must seize the reins of anger, says the holy doctor, and hold them with both hands. I have made a compact with my tongue, he adds: we have agreed that we will never speak while my heart is moved. And again: A sovereign remedy against sudden emotions of impatience is a sweet and modest silence.