REACTING TO SLUR AND SLANDER

[20030104]   

Patristic passages on dealing with anger

"A sign of utter meekness is to have a heart peacefully and lovingly disposed toward someone who has been offensive.  And a sure proof of a hot temper is that a person, even when one is alone, should with word and gesture continue to rage and fulminate against some absent person who has given offence."

"Freedom from anger is an endless wish for dishonor, whereas among the vainglorious there is a limitless thirst for praise.  Freedom from anger is a triumph over one's nature.  It is the ability to be impervious to insults, and comes by hard work and the sweat of one's brow."

"The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; the next, to keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset; the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing."

"Your tongue longs to jump into arguments, but restrain it.  It is a tyrant, and you must fight it daily seventy times seven."

[St. John Klimakos ("of the ladder")]

"Be patient in everything; remember that Christ was reviled, slapped, whipped, and finally crucified on the Cross.  Since He endured these things for us, we too must endure similar things for His love, but also for the Salvation of ourselves who have so many sins."

"Regard every evil word they say to you as a golden crown.  When one is reviled or spoken to harshly, one feels pain; but this pain becomes a healing balm for one's passions, for the wounds to one's soul.  No virtue purifies the passions of pride and unchastity as much as bearing insults and contempt with patience and silence."

[The Elder (yéron, stárets) Ephraim]