deformed will it render us in the eyes of God! In this discourse I will show, in the first point, the destruction which anger unrestrained brings on the soul; and, in the second, how we ought to restrain anger in all occasions of provocation which may occur to us.
First Point. The ruin which anger unrestrained brings on the soul.
1. St. Jerome says that anger is the door by which all vices enter the soul. ” Omnium vitiorum jantia est iracundia." (Inc. xxix. Prov.) Anger precipitates men into resentments, blasphemies, acts of injustice, detractions, scandals, and other iniquities; for the passion of anger darkens the understanding, and makes a man act like a beast and a madman. ” Caligavit ab indignatione oculus meus." (Job xvii. 7.) My eye has lost its sight through indignation. David said: ” My eye is troubled with wrath." (Ps. xxx. 10.) Hence, according to St. Bonaventure, an angry man is incapable of distinguishing between what is just and unjust. ” Iratus non potest videre quod justum est vel injustum." In a word, St. Jerome says that anger deprives a man of prudence, reason, and understanding. ” Ab omni concilio deturpat, ut donee irascitur, insanire credatur." Hence St. James says: ” The anger of man worketh not the justice of God." (St. James i. 20.) The acts of a man under the influence of anger cannot be conformable to the divine justice, and consequently cannot be faultless.
2. A man who does not restrain the impulse of anger, easily falls into hatred towards the person who has been the occasion of his passion. According to St. Augustine, hatred is nothing else than persevering anger. “Odium est ira diuturno tempore perseverans." Hence St. Thomas says that ” anger is sudden, but hatred is lasting. ” (Opusc. v.) It appears, then, that in him in whom anger perseveres hatred also reigns. But some will say: I am the head of the house; I must correct my children and servants, and, when necessary, I must raise my voice against the disorders which I witness. I say in answer: It is one thing to be angry against a brother, and another to be displeased at the sin of a
