Cross-tradition readings
The traditions treat anger less as a moral failure than as a mechanism — the Gita traces its causal chain, the Buddha prescribes its antidote, Lao Tzu removes its fuel. Read together, they describe the same fire from three sides.
The passages below are quoted exactly from the translations in our Study Hall — each links to the verse in its chapter, where you can read what comes before and after. Curated by Keshab Chapagain; the texts speak for themselves.
When a man thinks of the objects, attachment for them arises; from attachment desire is born; from desire anger arises.
From anger comes delusion; from delusion loss of memory; from loss of memory the destruction of discrimination; from the destruction of discrimination he perishes.
Let a man leave anger, let him forsake pride, let him overcome all bondage! No sufferings befall the man who is not attached to name and form, and who calls nothing his own.
He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reins.
Let a man overcome anger by love, let him overcome evil by good; let him overcome the greedy by liberality, the liar by truth!
The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.
It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.
Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both shamefastness and manlike behaviour. Of my mother I have learned to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do, but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet, and to fly all such excess as is incidental to great wealth. Of my great-grandfather, both to frequent public schools and auditories, and to get me good and able teachers at home; and that I ought not to think much, if upon such occasions, I were at excessive charges.
On death and mortality · On the restless mind · On desire and contentment · On work and duty · On impermanence · On knowing yourself · On happiness and peace
Read the full texts: Bhagavad Gita · Dhammapada · Yoga Sutras · Tao Te Ching · Meditations