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.
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:
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.
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.
Anger can have many consequences, both physical and mental. Here are some of the possible effects that anger can have.
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.
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.
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.
Managing anger can be challenging, but there are some things you can try to work through it. The following are just a few:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist, wrote the following quote about the power of letting go of anger and other barriers to inner peace: “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything–anger, anxiety, or possessions–we cannot be free.”
Written by Neal Peart, the following quote is from the 1981 song Witch Hunt by Rush: “Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand.”
Said by Yoda in the 1999 movie Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the following quote highlights the destructive progression of negative emotions: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
The following quote about anger is attributed to Muslim leader Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS): “A moment of patience in a moment of anger can help us avoid a thousand moments of sorrow.”
A quote often misattributed to Albert Einstein actually originates from the Bible: “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). This proverb encourages patience, reminding us that quick anger clouds wisdom and rests with the unwise.
Anger can fuel intense reactions, often overshadowing rational thought. This may be because anger engages the body’s natural stress response, triggering a surge of adrenaline and cortisol that heightens alertness and intensifies emotions.
Behind anger are often other, deeper emotions, such as hurt, sadness, or fear. Anger acts as a shield for these vulnerable feelings, providing a protective but intense response to psychological danger. Recognizing the true emotions driving anger is essential for problem-solving.
Rage is often considered the strongest form of anger. Rage describes an intense, overwhelming anger that can lead to loss of control and impulsive actions. When a person becomes enraged, they may experience a surge of adrenaline, making it difficult to think clearly and increasing the likelihood of saying or doing things they might later regret. Recognizing and managing anger before it escalates can help prevent episodes of rage.
Anger often indicates underlying issues such as unmet needs, personal boundaries being crossed, or unresolved emotional pain. It signals that something important requires your attention. When you begin to notice anger, it can help to consider any underlying feelings that may be fueling it so that you may address them and find constructive solutions.
The Bible offers a number of quotations about anger. The following verse can help us learn how to prevent conflict with healthy communication: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)