(This is from personal experience. I have always had a bad temper, and I ever strive to keep it in check. Whenever it breaks out, except in the rare occasions when it is justified, I am deeply ashamed and make apologies profusely. Washington was similarly afflicted. Once during the Revolution he had just completed a document he had labored on for hours when the Private on guard outside his tent raised the tent flap, letting in a gust of wind which scattered ink over the document, ruining it. Washington’s iron reserve broke and he raged at the man. Then, to the Private’s astonishment, Washington bowed his head and quietly asked his forgiveness, stating that from his youth he had a bad temper, and when it escaped his control he scarcely knew himself.)
Lucius Annaeus Seneca wrote three books in a collection entitled De Ira (On Anger).
Latin: https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/sen.html
English: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Of_Anger
If I had my way, the Latin would be required reading for every high school student. But neither the good Lord nor my wife will ever permit me to have my own way. Perhaps then I should re-read De Ira because my anger is very, very alcoholic once it is let loose. No, I don’t drink any longer, but even after years of sobriety, that alcoholic anger can still rear its ugly head. 😔
Me too. And to be fair, even our Lord got angry, although always controlled. Masculinity, in the form of being protectors of those we love, requires that we exude the potential for violence. Displaying that typically prevents us from having to use actual violence. And it always has to be controlled and proportionate.
There is such a thing as controlled righteous anger, something I often see on this website.
Washington was a gem, even among that exceptional generation.
O Lord, with your help, I want to practice gentleness in daily encounters and annoyances. As soon as I realize that anger is kindled in me, I will collect myself, not with violence, but gently, and I will seek to restore my heart to peace.
Knowing that I can do nothing alone, I will take care to call on You for help, as the Apostles did when they were tossed by the raging sea.
Teach me to be gentle with all, even with those who offend me or are opposed to me, and even with myself, not burdening myself because of my faults.
When I fall, in spite of my efforts, I will gently pick myself up and say: “Come on, my poor heart, let’s get up and leave this pit forever. Let’s have recourse to the Mercy of God, and He will help us.” Amen
~ St. Francis de Sales