The Fourth Combat: Anger

In our fourth combat the deadly poison of anger has to be rooted out completely from the inmost corners of our soul. For as long as it stays in our hearts and blinds the eye of the soul with its harmful darkness, we can neither acquire right judgment and discernment, nor gain the insight that comes from an honest gaze, nor ripeness of counsel. Nor can we share in life, or hold on to righteousness, or even have room for the true and spiritual light. For, as one says, “My eye is troubled because of anger.” Nor can we share in wisdom, even if everyone agrees that we are wise, for “anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Nor can we even attain immortal life, though everybody thinks us prudent, for “anger destroys even the prudent.” [a]

Nor will we be able, with clear judgment of heart, to secure the controlling power of righteousness, even if all men count us perfect and holy, for “human anger does not work the righteousness of God.” Nor can we in any way gain the esteem and honor so often seen even in worldly people, even if we are thought noble and honorable through the privileges of birth, because “an angry man is disgraced.” Nor again can we secure any ripeness of counsel, even if we seem weighty and endowed with the utmost knowledge, because “an angry man acts without counsel.” Nor can we be free from dangerous disturbances, or be without sin, even if others bring no disturbance of any kind on us, because “a hot-tempered man stirs up quarrels, but an angry man digs up sins.”