On Anger, Book 2, Section 19 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

People with more moisture in their bodies get angry slowly. They don't have heat ready to go — it has to build up through movement. That's why women and children have sharp anger rather than strong anger. They get upset over small things. During the dry times of life, anger is violent and powerful. But it doesn't grow or build on itself, because as heat fades, cold takes its place. Old men are cranky and full of complaints. So are sick people and those recovering from illness. Anyone whose store of heat has been used up by exhaustion or blood loss acts this way. People wasted by thirst or hunger are the same. So are those whose bodies are naturally bloodless and weak from poor diet. Wine stokes anger because it increases heat. Some people fly into a rage when heavily drunk, others when just slightly drunk. It depends on their nature. This explains why blonde, red-faced people are extremely passionate. They're naturally the color that others turn when angry. Their blood runs hot and moves easily.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Those who have more moisture in them become angry by slow degrees, because they have no heat ready at hand, but it has to be obtained by movement; wherefore the anger of women and children is sharp rather than strong, and arises on lighter provocation. At dry times of life anger is violent and powerful, yet without increase, and adding little to itself, because as heat dies away cold takes its place. Old men are testy and full of complaints, as also are sick people and convalescents, and all whose store of heat has been consumed by weariness or loss of blood. Those who are wasted by thirst or hunger are in the same condition, as also are those whose frame is naturally bloodless and faints from want of generous diet. Wine kindles anger, because it increases heat; according to each man's disposition, some fly into a passion when they are heavily drunk, some when they are slightly drunk: nor is there any other reason than this why yellow-haired, ruddy-complexioned people should be excessively passionate, seeing that they are naturally of the colour which others put on during anger; for their blood is hot and easily set in motion.