ANGER.
1. Anger is an agitation of the heart against persons or things that displease us, impelling us to reject them and injure them. It urges us to avenge ourselves on them for the wrong they have done, or that we imagine they have done to us.
Anger is not necessarily in itself sinful. It is legitimate when it is just, when the feeling is moderate, when the desire of punishment is proportioned to the offence, and when it is soon passed.
It is sinful when it is unjust, excessive, vengeful, and lasting.
We feel angry when we see a wrong done, the weak oppressed, the truth spoken against, religion mocked. Such a feeling is right, it is righteous zeal. But Anger must not be allowed to get the dominion over us. That is what the Apostle says when he bids us, “Be ye angry, and sin not.”
2. Anger is criminal in its object, when it seeks vengeance on a person for a wrong he has not really done, or in excess of his deserts.
Anger is criminal in its means, when it goes about to avenge a wrong by some illicit means, as by slander, by bringing hurt upon the person who has given the offence in a secret, underhand way.
Anger is criminal in its motive, when it pursues the offender remorselessly, even though he deserves punishment.
Anger is criminal in its motions, if they be allowed to pass the bounds of moderation, and obscure the judgment, that is to say, if it become a blazing passion.