Buddha's greatest quotes about anger (learn from them)

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Anger or rage describes an emotion we all have to deal with. And sometimes we struggle with it. It can be encouraging to know that we are not alone in this, but what we all need are frequent reminders that anger and rage only lead to hurting ourselves. And this isn't just meant in a figurative sense, people who are often angry and irate actually tend to have higher blood pressure, among other things, which can lead to heart problems later in life.

Buddha knew very well how harmful anger and rage can be and has left us numerous quotes that help us remain aware of the dangers and futility of anger.

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1 Buddha's 13 Greatest Quotes About RAGE

2 Buddha's attitude toward anger

Buddha's 13 Greatest Quotes About RAGE

"Sometimes it is better to be kind than to be right. We don't need a clever mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens. You are not punished for your anger, you are punished by your anger."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"To be angry is to be punished by the mistakes of others."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Holding on to anger is like grabbing a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who will be burned."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"If it is impossible for anger to arise within you, you will find no external enemies anywhere."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Anger will never disappear as long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Speak the truth, do not become angry, and give when asked, even a little. Through these three conditions, you enter the presence of the gods."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"An external enemy exists only when there is anger within."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"There is no fire like passion. No crime like hatred. No sorrow like separation. No sickness like hunger, and no joy like the joy of freedom."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"He who does not take offense at someone who is angry wins a battle that is hard to win."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Overcome the angry by not being angry; overcome the wicked by kindness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Let a man forsake anger, let him forsake pride, let him overcome all fetters! No sorrow befalls him who is not attached to name and form, and who calls nothing his own."
[Verse 221]
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Anger is the punishment we give ourselves for another's mistake."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"Overcome the angry by not becoming angry; overcome the wicked by kindness; overcome the miser by generosity, and the liar by telling the truth." [Verse 223]
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

"And you are also new. I see that you are not the same man who came yesterday, for he was angry and spat while you bowed to me and touched my feet. How can you be the same man? You are not the same man, so let's forget about it. These two people, the man who spat and the man he spat on, are both gone. Come closer. Let's talk about something else."
Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama)

Buddha's attitude toward anger

Buddha's attitude toward anger is very interesting. He did not shy away from the emotion, but saw it as a natural part of life. Buddha believed that anger is something to be dealt with in a constructive way.

As you learned above, Buddha said that "holding on to anger is like grabbing a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." This is a very powerful quote that illustrates well the Buddha's views on anger. He saw it as something that can be destructive and hurtful, but also as something that can be transformed into something positive.

Buddha believed that anger can be like fuel for the fire for the mind. However, he did not mean this in a positive sense, but rather in the sense of "watch out, or it will burn everything down." As in Buddhism in general, it is not necessary to suppress our emotions, but it is certainly necessary to learn to deal with them.

If you are struggling with anger, the Buddha's teachings can definitely help you find a more constructive way to deal with it. Buddha's attitude towards anger is very interesting and definitely worth exploring. Thanks for reading!