XXXI
Abstaining from Anger
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He alone can be said to forbear who hath the power to strike: as to him that hath not the power, what mattereth it whether he forbeareth or forbeareth not?
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It is wrong to get angry even when thou art helpless to strike: and when thou hast the power, there is nothing that is worse than anger.
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Whoever thy offender may be, forget thy anger: for from anger springeth a multitude of ills.
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Anger killeth the smile and it destroyeth cheer: hath man a crueller foe than anger?
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If thou want to look after thyself, keep off from choler: for if thou keep not off, it will come upon thee and destroy thy own self.
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Choler destroyeth every man whom it approacheth: and it burneth also the family of him who nurseth it.
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He who nurseth his rage as if it were a precious thing is like unto the man who dasheth his hand against the ground: the hand of this man escapeth not from injury, and the destruction of the first is as certain.
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Even when thy wrongs burn as the flaming of many fires, it is good if thou canst abstain from anger.
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All the desires of a man will be fulfilled on the instant if from his heart he banish anger.
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Whoso is overwhelmed with anger is like one dead: but whoso hath forsworn wrathfulness is like unto the saints.