Anger Quotes To Help You Cope

Many people tend to look for inspirational quotes about love, friendship, or hope, but what about anger? Anger is a complex emotion. When managed well, it can be a source of motivation and a way to determine how to take action. When mismanaged, it can have long-lasting effects on our mental and physical health and our relationships with others. 

Below, we’ll explore some anger quotes and discuss the effects of anger and how to manage it better in everyday life.

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What is anger?

Everyone experiences anger from time to time. Some people may be quicker to anger than others, and everyone can experience it differently. Anger can be a strong emotion, and like other strong emotions, it can be overwhelming. 

However, anger can also be beneficial at times: it can help us get motivated to meet specific goals, inspire us to advocate for change, and help us recognize when we are not getting the things we need.

Quotes about anger can help us realize that we are not alone when we feel this powerful emotion. Here are some words others have said about anger.

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal” and other quotes about anger

• Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. – Buddha
• When anger rises, think of the consequences. – Confucius
• Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness. – James Thurber
• If what we are doing with our anger is not achieving the desired result, it would seem logical to try something different. – Harriet Lerner
• It is wise to direct your anger towards problems, not people—to focus your energies on answers, not excuses. – William Arthur Ward
• Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy. – Aristotle
• Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are. – Saint Augustine
• There's nothing wrong with anger provided you use it constructively. – Wayne Dyer
• Anger is just anger. It isn't good. It isn't bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters. It's like anything else. You can use it to build or to destroy. You just have to make the choice. – Jim Butcher
• For every minute you remain angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. – Mark Twain
• The best fighter is never angry. – Lao Tzu
• Angry people are not always wise – Jane Austen
• Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight. – Phyllis Diller
• Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret. – Lawrence J. Peter
• The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present. – Barbara De Angelis
• You cannot see your reflection in boiling water. Similarly, you cannot see the truth in a state of anger. When the waters calm, clarity comes. – Unknown

Anger, resentment, and jealousy: Resentment and jealousy as roots of anger

There are also many quotes about resentment and jealousy, which are not the same as anger but can be linked to it. 

Resentment is a complex emotional reaction to feeling like you have been wronged or mistreated by another person or by a set of circumstances. If resentment is not dealt with, it can lead to feelings like anger, bitterness, and hostility. 

Jealousy is different from envy. Envy is typically centered on wanting something that someone else has, while jealousy stems from the fear that something we have will be taken away. For example, a person may get jealous if someone is flirting with their partner because they are afraid the other person may attract their attention away from them. Many factors can be at the root of jealousy, and it can lead to many emotions, including fear. 

Here are some quotes related to these anger-adjacent emotions:

• Anger, resentment, and jealousy doesn't change the heart of others; it only changes yours. – Shannon Alder
• Love sees sharply, hatred sees even sharper, but jealousy sees the sharpest for it is love and hate at the same time. – Arab Proverb
• Passion can quickly slip to jealousy or even hatred. – Arthur Golden
• Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt.  – Terri Guillemet
• Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. – Nelson Mandela

How quotes about anger can help

Finding the right quote about anger may not make anger go away, but it can help in other ways. For example, reading a quote about anger may help you change your perspective on how you’re feeling or inspire you to take the necessary steps to overcome a problem. 

What quotes about anger cannot do

While anger quotes can have their benefits, they are typically not a suitable substitute for learning how to manage your anger. If you are experiencing anger issues, they can have significant effects on your life and relationships. Learning how to manage your anger effectively can help you avoid some of these possible consequences.

Consequences of anger

Anger can have many consequences, both physical and mental. Here are some of the possible effects that anger can have.

Physical health problems

Anger can lead to multiple physical health issues. Studies have found that anger can cause chronic inflammation and digestive issues. Short bouts of anger can even affect blood vessels, which could affect heart health in the long term, possibly leading to heart attack or stroke.

Effects on mental health

When anger is suppressed, it can turn inward. In addition to causing the above-mentioned physical health problems, inward anger can also contribute to mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, isolation, low self-esteem, and substance use. 

Anger, resentment, and jealousy

Resentment and jealousy can both cause anger, which can significantly affect relationships. If someone constantly reacts in anger, it can put a lot of pressure on both partners, causing damage and potentially leading to the end of the relationship. Uncontrolled anger in a relationship can also contribute to physical, emotional, mental, or verbal abuse.

Tips for anger management

Managing anger can be challenging, but there are some things you can try to work through it. The following are just a few:

Anger is like grasping hot coal—so let it go

Holding onto anger can have long-term effects on your mental and physical health. Overcoming anger is often more difficult than just deciding to let it go, but coming to the conclusion that it is time to let it go can be a good first step.

Learn techniques to manage your anger in the moment

You can try several techniques to manage your anger in the moment. Some ideas include practicing deep breathing, taking a walk, giving yourself a time-out from the situation, or using humor to relieve tension. 

Anger management includes getting to the root of your anger

In addition to learning how to manage your anger in the moment, it can also be helpful to determine if there are any underlying factors contributing to it. By identifying and addressing things like stress, environmental factors, trauma, or other underlying mental health problems, you may learn more about where your anger might be coming from and how to manage it better.

Managing the consequences of anger as best as you can

Anger can have many consequences, including impacting your relationships. If your anger has created problems in your relationship with your partner or those with friends, family, or coworkers, managing these consequences can be difficult because it is not entirely up to you. If your anger has caused a rift between you and another person, sometimes apologizing is all you may be able to do.

Getting support in therapy

Coping with anger can be challenging to do on your own. If you are having a difficult time keeping your anger under control in certain situations or if you want to learn if there are any factors contributing to your anger, consider working with a therapist. A therapist can help you learn healthy ways of coping, communicating, and managing strong emotions. 

Do you need help controlling your anger?

Talk to a therapist online

If you are hesitant to sit down and talk about sensitive topics with someone in person, you might consider online therapy. With an online therapy platform, you can work with a licensed professional from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection. Most people are matched with a provider within 48 hours of signing up. There are more than 30,000 therapists on the BetterHelp platform, and you can change therapists at any time for no fee until you find one with whom you feel comfortable working. 

A growing body of research has found that online therapy is an effective alternative to traditional therapy. For example, one 2022 study found that online therapy helped reduce anger expression and aggression. It has also been found to be effective for a number of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. As well as improving mental health, many find therapy beneficial for improving relationships, developing healthier habits, and achieving personal growth.