93. Let us then avoid or at any rate check
anger, so that we may not lose our share of praise, nor yet add to our
list of sins. It is no light thing to calm one’s
anger. It is no less difficult a thing than it is not to be
roused at all. The one is an act of our own will, the other is an
effect of nature. So quarrels among boys are harmless, and have
more of a pleasant than a bitter character about them. And if
boys quickly come to quarrel one with the other, they are easily calmed
down again, and quickly come together with even greater
friendliness. They do not know how to act deceitfully and
artfully. Do not condemn these children, of whom the Lord
says: “Except ye be converted and become as this child, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” S. Matt. xviii. 3. So also the Lord Himself, Who is the
Power of God, as a Boy, when He was reviled, reviled not again,
when He was struck, struck
not back. 1 Pet. ii. 23. Set then thy
mind on this—like a child never to keep an injury in mind, never
to show malice, but that all things may be done blamelessly by
thee. Regard not the return made thee by others. Hold thy
ground. Guard the simplicity and purity of thy heart.
Answer not an angry man according to his anger, nor a foolish man
according to his folly. One fault quickly calls forth
another. If stones are rubbed together, does not fire break
forth?