ANGER

Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favoritism.

Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a sharp letter. Stanton did, and showed the strongly worded missive to the president.

"What are you going to do with it?" Lincoln inquired. Surprised, Stanton replied, "Send it."

Lincoln shook his head. "You don't want to send that letter," he said. "Put it in the stove. That's what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It's a good letter and you had a good time writing it and feel better. Now burn it, and write another." ("Today in the Word")

"Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one." - B. Franklin.

"It is he who is in the wrong who first gets angry." -William Penn.

Pro 15:18 (NET) says: "A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel."