Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1893 — Command of Temper. [ARTICLE]

Command of Temper.

Setting aside the moral aspect of the question altogether, it is a matter of policy to cultivate command of temper. Abuse is cheap and common, and whatever impression it may make is easily effaced by a good-na-tured, Dointed reply, free from all trace of passion and confined to a simple statement of fact or argument. It is sometimes exceedingly difficult to maintain one’s temper under a succession of wrongs, but the discipline is excellent and the results usually compensate for the pain of repression. Actual control is the quality required, not merely the outward show. Of the influential men in history there are two conspicuous types —strong, passionate men who kept a curb upon their passions, though giving vent to their rage when occasion served; and malignant hypocrites who only appeared to control' their evil passions as a matter of policy. The latter are not to be imitated, for they do not in fact keep their tempers, but only have the appearance of doing so. When one has real control of himself he can suffer many aggravations without being roused, calmly consider the wrongs done him, «anu when the proper time comes reply with just the force lequired, but no more. His reputation then makes him convincing, where.is the passionate man who is always losing his temper, is discredited in advance. Vituperation may be either amusing or irritating, according to the mood of the listener; but it is never convincing, and defeats the cause of those who resort to it.