Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Anger is what goes beyond reason and sweeps reason away. So that first shock you feel when something seems to hurt you — that's not anger yet. That's just the impression itself. Anger is what comes next: the wild rush that not only receives that impression but treats it as true. Anger is the mind getting excited for revenge, and it comes from choice and deliberate decision. No one has ever doubted that fear makes us run away, and anger makes us charge forward. So ask yourself: do you think we can seek anything or avoid anything without our mind being involved?

On Anger, Book 2, Section 3 Book 2 · 9 of 103
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Anger is that which goes beyond reason and carries her away with it: wherefore the first confusion of a man's mind when struck by what seems an injury is no more anger than the apparent injury itself: it is the subsequent mad rush, which not only receives the impression of the apparent injury, but acts upon it as true, that is anger, being an exciting of the mind to revenge, which proceeds from choice and deliberate resolve. There never has been any doubt that fear produces flight, and anger a rush forward; consider, therefore, whether you suppose that anything can be either sought or avoided without the participation of the mind.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 3 Book 2 · 9 of 103
Seneca — The Senator

Anger doesn't just stir us up — it breaks loose completely. It's an impulse. And no impulse can happen without our mind's approval. We can't seek revenge or punishment without our mind knowing about it. A man might think he's been wronged. He might want to get back at someone. Then he might be talked out of it by some reason and calm down. I don't call that anger. That's just an emotion that reason can still control.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 3 Book 2 · 8 of 103
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Seneca — The Senator Original

Anger must not merely move, but break out of bounds, being an impulse: now, no impulse can take place without the consent of the mind: for it cannot be that we should deal with revenge and punishment without the mind being cognisant of them. A man may think himself injured, may wish to avenge his wrongs, and then may be persuaded by some reason or other to give up his intention and calm down: I do not call that anger, it is an emotion of the mind which is under the control of reason.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 3 Book 2 · 8 of 103
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support