Anger

[Brigid]

There seems to be a method hidden somewhere here..

 

[Bailey2]

We must not fret over our own imperfections. Although reason requires that we must be displeased and sorry when-ever we commit a fault, we must refrain from bitter, gloomy, spiteful and emotional displeasure. Many people are greatly at fault in this way. When overcome by anger they become angry at being angry, disturbed at being disturbed, and vexed at being vexed. By such means they keep their hearts drenched and steeped in passion. It may seem that the second fit of anger does away with the first, but actually it serves to open the way for fresh anger on the first occasion that arises. Moreover, these fits of anger, vexation, and bitterness against ourselves tend to pride and they stem from no other source than self-love, which is disturbed and upset that at seeing that it is imperfect.

St. Francis de Sales

This is magnificent!! 

[Shin]

Isn't it? St. Francis de Sales certainly is 'the Gentle Doctor'..

His 'Introduction to the Devout Life' I first encountered with a group of people reading portions of it out loud meeting at the local parish, then each person would comment on what he was inspired by from the passage.

It's a great book for that. 

[Bailey2]

actually that book is on my reading list......... may be a while though.......

[Brigid]

actually that book is on my reading list......... may be a while though.......

Hope it's not too long! It's wonderful!

[Shin]

I need to quote more from 'Mystical Flora' a collection of all his quotes relating the spiritual life to flora and fauna..

'There are some persons who are naturally light and frivolous; others sharp and waspish; others tenacious of their own opinions; others inclined to anger and indignation; in fact, there are very few persons in whom we do not find some kind of imperfections. But though such faults may appear to be natural to each one, yet they may be corrected and moderated, and with great care and by cultivating the opposite virtue we may free ourselves from them altogether. And I tell you, Philothea, that this must be done. Means have been found to change bitter almonds into sweet, merely by piercing the foot of the tree so as to let the juice run out. Why can we not expel our perverse inclinations and so become better ? There is no natural character so good that it cannot be made bad by vicious habits: there is none so froward that it cannot be subdued, first, by the grace of God, then by industry and diligence.'

St. Francis de Sales, 'Introduction to the Devout Life', 'The Mystical Flora'

St. Francis de Sales overcame anger.. and here is his lesson for us eh?

I just read searching the web that another one of his quote, I am not sure where from is:

'There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust.'

St. Francis de Sales

[Brigid]

How are those quotes denying mercy and gentleness?

[Shin]

Hmm? I'm confused!

[Brigid]

Hmm? I'm confused!

Mercy and gentleness with ourselves when we make a mistake (without disregarding it or fretting).

[Shin]

I don't see any way in which they are! 

[Brigid]

I don't either. But I read your post as if they were. I must have misread it. again. I think I should go sweep the floors.

[Bailey2]

I think I should go sweep floors too because I don't even understand Shin's (or St Francis's) post!   

Think I'll move on now... 

[Shin]

Oh dear, and am I rather in outer space today too so..

Well let's see..

Vices with opposite virtues.. That's the standard cure.. for beating every vice.. you find the virtue that is its opposite and practice that..

[Bailey2]

OK Shin, my poor brain can wrap around that one....... 

[Brigid]

Oh dear, and am I rather in outer space today too so..

Well let's see..

Vices with opposite virtues.. That's the standard cure.. for beating every vice.. you find the virtue that is its opposite and practice that..

Yes, and while doing that one can certainly be gentle with oneself. The way you treat yourself is, after all, the way you will treat others. Right Bailey?

[Shin]

Another quote I just found, don't know the source:

'Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.'

St. Francis de Sales