# Chapter XXXIX: The Art of Soothing Anger in Others explained — Dialogues

> Chapter companion for Dialogues by Seneca.

## What happens

Seneca advises Novatus on how to calm the anger of others, emphasizing that one should not confront rage directly at its peak but instead allow it to subside naturally, using indirect methods such as delay, distraction, and even deception to prevent harm and promote healing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Anger and Self-Control

The chapter focuses on techniques to calm the anger of others, emphasizing restraint and strategic intervention rather than direct confrontation.

### Clemency and Justice

Seneca advocates for gentle, indirect methods to prevent harm, aligning with the virtue of clemency in dealing with others' passions.

## Character check-ins

### Novatus

The addressee of Seneca's advice on managing anger in others.

### Seneca

The author providing guidance on soothing the wrath of others.

## Key lines

> You should not attempt to allay the first burst of anger by words: it is deaf and frantic: we must give it scope; our remedies will only be effective when it slackens.

Do not try to calm someone's initial rage with words, as they are unreachable and wild; instead, allow the anger to run its course, and only intervene when it begins to fade.

_Seneca emphasizes the importance of timing in addressing anger, comparing it to treating a physical ailment at its peak._

> Some diseases can only be cured by deceit.

Certain illnesses require indirect or deceptive methods to heal.

_Seneca uses a medical metaphor to justify the use of clever, non-confrontational strategies in soothing anger._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters