# XXXI: Abstaining from Anger explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter emphasizes the virtue of forbearing anger, especially when one has the power to retaliate. It warns that anger destroys joy, harms oneself and one's family, and compares the angry man to the dead, while the one who renounces wrath is likened to the saints.

## Themes in this chapter

### Asceticism and Spiritual Discipline

The chapter advocates for the rigorous discipline of abstaining from anger, comparing the wrathless to saints.

### Social Harmony and Ethics

Anger is portrayed as destructive to family and social bonds, urging ethical restraint for communal well-being.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on abstaining from anger.

### the Kural

The text itself, containing the verses on anger and forbearance.

## Key lines

> He alone can be said to forbear who hath the power to strike: as to him that hath not the power, what mattereth it whether he forbeareth or forbeareth not?

True forbearance is only meaningful when one has the ability to retaliate; without power, restraint is not a choice.

_Highlights the virtue of restraint when one has the capacity for revenge._

> Anger killeth the smile and it destroyeth cheer: hath man a crueller foe than anger?

Anger robs a person of joy and happiness; no enemy is more harsh than anger itself.

_Emphasizes the internal harm caused by anger._

> Whoso is overwhelmed with anger is like one dead: but whoso hath forsworn wrathfulness is like unto the saints.

A person consumed by anger is as good as dead, while one who gives up anger is comparable to holy beings.

_Contrasts the spiritual death from anger with the saintliness of forbearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxi-abstaining-from-anger
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters