74 Angry Quotes

Anger is an emotion we all experience, but what we do with it can make a great difference. These angry quotes remind us that reacting in the heat of the moment can hurt relationships, disturb our peace, and sometimes leave us regretting words or actions we cannot take back.

The quotes below offer thoughts about controlling anger, staying calm, forgiveness, faith, and understanding what may be behind our feelings. Some encourage us to pause before reacting, while others remind us that patience, compassion, and understanding often accomplish more than anger ever will.

May these words encourage you to think about how you respond when anger rises and help you choose a calmer, more thoughtful way forward.

Updated September 17, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Angry Quotes About Anger And Our Reactions

Anger is a natural emotion, but our response to it can make a difficult situation better or worse. These quotes encourage us to notice what anger is doing before we allow it to guide our words or actions.

Anger may storm, a turbulent flight,
But solutions bloom in peace's gentle light.

Rather than feeling angry about what you do not have, focus your thoughts on thanksgiving for all that you do have.
Catherine Pulsifer

Angry words--ah, how I rue them! I shall leave them all behind.
Amos R. Wells, I Pack My Trunk

Don't let hurt or anger go on for a long time as the longer it goes on the harder it is for both sides.
Catherine Pulsifer

One who smiles rather than angers is always stronger.
David Schary

Sometimes people get angry and do things they shouldn't. Things they regret.
Mary Alice Monroe

Negative energy is only good for batteries.
Laurin Sydney, little things make a big difference

An angry garden is like an unattended schoolyard full of children. A little discipline and attention serve to quell the unwanted growth of unproductive behavior.
Sam Fickinsen

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble in your mind.
Christy Larson, Promise Yourself

"Of all the passions that are incident to a man, there is none so impetuous,
or that produceth so terrible effect as anger."
Joseph Hall

"Being angry never resolves anything. Step back, take a deep
breath, and look for more positive solutions to the situation."
Catherine Pulsifer

Don't be foolish and get sour when things don't just come your way"
Strickland Gillilan

... our anger may warn us that others are doing too much for us, at the expense of our own competence and growth.
Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Anger

You'll find that life will be a lot easier and much more fun when
you make the decision to drop your complaining. All it does is make
you feel sorry for yourself - sad, angry, victimized, suspicious and/or
self-righteous.
Richard Carlson, Ph.D., Don't Worry, Make Money

Not the fastest horse can catch a word spoken in anger.
Chinese Proverb

Angry Quotes About Staying Calm And Self-Control

A pause can make a great difference when emotions are running high. These quotes remind us to slow down, control our temper, and give ourselves time to respond wisely.

Bridle your tongue, your temper control, and you will have friend when you are old.
Nettie Steeves, Remember

Patience is the direct antithesis of anger.
Allan Lokos, Pocket Peace

You will not be sorry....For holding an angry tongue
Unknown, You Will Not Be Sorry

"Anger: not controlled will lead to stress. We all feel angry at
some points in our lives, but it is how we deal with the anger that
will bring more stress or less stress!"
Catherine Pulsifer

When you’re angry, here’s a rule:
Take a deep breath until you cool.
Unknown, Self-Control

When you learn how to manage your anger without aggression, you gain a sense of accomplishment and success.
Aaron Karmin LCPC, Anger Management Workbook for Men

I have to say, it makes me angry, when things don't go,
the way they should be. . .
But I have to stay calm, and roll up my sleeves. Maybe some direction, is all that I need.
Julie Hebert

"When angry, sit down write out your feelings before you do anything else."
Catherine Pulsifer

If possible, physically distance yourself from the situation for a brief time when you feel angry.

Lose your temper, and you are vanquished: smile, and you'll put 'er through; for anger's the first of your foes - and worst - so smile, and dare, and do!
David V. Bush, It's Better To Smile

Although anger and patience are not opposites, they can be thought of as two sides of the same coin. When one side is visible the other is hard to see.
Allan Lokos, Patience

Rather than react when you feel angry, talk to someone you trust about your feelings before you react.

When you are angry, the best thing to do is to say nothing.
There is a Chinese Proverb that says, "If you are patient in
one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."
Another technique is to stop and ask yourself, "Is it really important?" or
"Does it really matter?"
Catherine Pulsifer

When you feel angry, take a few moments and inhale deeply, hold, exhale slowly. Repeat until calm.

There are ways of handling anger that produce good. There are ways to become more peaceful in many situations and more cleanly angry in the
situations that call for it.
David Powlison, Good and Angry

When you feel the anger rising give yourself a moment before reacting, counting slowly to defuse tension.

Uncontrolled anger robs us of happiness and destroys our relationships.
Lilliet Garrison, Getting Unstuck

When feeling anger, express feelings without blaming others, focusing on your emotions.

Journalling is an excellent and safe way to vent your emotions.
JoAnn Janson, Define Yourself and Discover Your Destiny!

I am surprised that intelligent men do not see the immense value of good temper in their homes; and am amazed that they will take such pains to have costly houses and fine furniture, and yet sometimes neglect to bring home with them good temper.
Theodore Parker

Men have the power to control their anger. To believe that men cannot control their anger is to see violence as an uncontrollable animal instinct.
Aaron Karmin LCPC, Anger Management Workbook for Men

Angry Quotes About The Harm Anger Can Cause

Uncontrolled anger can affect our peace, health, relationships, and judgment. These words remind us why holding on to bitterness and resentment rarely leads anywhere good.

Anxiety brings anger. Anger destroys our health and friendly atmosphere in our home.
Dalai Lama

"Life is too short to live in bitterness, anger and negativity."
Grant Ngobean

I believe—that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
Unknown, I Believe That

Anger is the ultimate destroyer of peace of mind.
Dalai Lama

... we too learn to fear our own anger, not only because it brings about the disapproval of others, but also because it signals the necessity for change.
Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Anger

Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn’t change the heart of others– it only changes yours.
Shannon Alder

Things You Will Never Regret....destroying a letter written in anger.
Unknown

Anger creates problems. But having and expressing the right kind of anger in the right way is a good goal.
David Powlison, Good and Angry

"Harsh words, like chickens, love to stray
but they come home to rest each day.
If you have angry words to say-
stop and think!"
Heather K. Barclay

"Emotional health at work can be affected by a host of factors including the stress you create yourself by choosing to let your negative emotions, anger, or frustration rule the day."
Byron Pulsifer

Jealousy is not a singular emotion; it is actually a collection of several.
It is made up of a mix of; anger, anxiety, fear, insecurity and helplessness.
Lesley Harriot, How To Have Successful Relationships

"To embark on a new quarrel is to wander hand in hand through
the barbed wire and minefields of memory."
Ken Kolb

If you are upset or angry, you're the one who chooses to be that way.
Byron Pulsifer, Emotional Health At Work

... hearts have broken for harsh words spoken, that sorrow can ne'er set right.
Author Unknown, Think Of It

"Blaming others for your shortcomings or shifting anger on
someone else does little to alleviate anger or help identify the
origin of your feelings."
Amy E. Dean

Angry Quotes About Forgiveness, Kindness And Understanding

Understanding and forgiveness can soften situations that anger only makes harder. These quotes encourage compassion, respectful words, and a willingness to let go.

Is thy friend angry with thee? then provide him an opportunity of showing thee a great favor. Over that his heart must needs melt, and he will love thee again.
Richter

In the heat of anger, a fiery glow,
But kindness and calm, the seeds we sow.

Genuine forgiveness does not deny anger but faces it head-on.
Alice Miller

Don't wait for the future your anger to soften, oh, now is the time to forgive and forget.
S. E. Gordon, The Time To Forgive And Forget

We need more brotherhood attitudes in this world of ours. More brotherhood would result in less fighting and anger.
Catherine Pulsifer

If your brother speak in anger, answer not in wrath again.
Unknown

Even give for anger love and tenderness; and in blessing others you yourself will bless.
Unknown, Little Acts Of Kindness

"Respect is lost when people choose to hold onto their anger
and foster resentment."
Vivian Sandau, Mutual Respect in Marriage

Make us, God, right good and kind, and let no anger stir the mind.
Caleb Davis Bradlee

Turn not from your brother who strangely has err'd, nor speak as in anger a harsh, bitter word
Daniel C. Colesworthy

...the sweet smile of forgiveness when anger's clouds are past.
Mary C. Ryan

To understand and transform anger, we must learn the practice of compassionate listening and using loving speech.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Anger

Brotherhood of man can be a realization can't you see - helping each other, lending a hand rather than anger and demands.
Catherine Pulsifer, A Better Place

We are not angry with people we fear or respect, as long as we fear or respect them; you cannot be afraid of a person and also at the same time angry with him.
Aristotle

Fear closes you down, thwarts creativity and limits choices to those of survival.
The same is true for shame, anger, self-doubt, and worry
(all brothers and sisters to fear).
Janeen Latini, Love to Lead. Lead to Love

Angry Quotes About Faith And Choosing Peace

Faith can help us turn away from angry reactions and toward patience, prayer, and peace. These quotes remind us to look to God for guidance when emotions are difficult to manage.

We can choose to lose our peace, freak out and get angry or
we can choose to take a deep breath, look to God and trust
that He's got it all under control.
Rebecca Bryan, The Carols of Christmas

Deliver us, O Lord, each day.....teach us all angry thoughts to chase
Eloise A. Skimings, Deliver Us

I want to be like Jesus, so lowly and so meek; for no one marked an angry word, whoever heard him speak.
W. Meynell Whittemore, Like Jesus

"Live according to Gods calling; move in love, love peace and happiness.
Life is too short to live in bitterness, anger and negativity."
Grant Ngobean

The best cure for a short temper is a lengthened prayer life.
William Arthur Ward

Angry Quotes About Learning From Anger

Anger can sometimes point to something that needs attention or change. These quotes encourage us to understand its cause and use that awareness in a constructive way.

... understanding the purpose of anger is essential to learning how to process anger in a constructive manner.
Gary Chapman, Anger

Addressing the root cause of anger can lead to constructive problem-solving.

"Wise anger is like the fire from the flint;
there is a great ado to bring it out; and when it does come,
it is out again immediately."
M. Henry

Conclusion

Anger is something we all face at times, but it does not have to control our lives. These quotes remind us that while anger may rise quickly, it is our response that truly matters. When we choose patience over reaction and understanding over harsh words, we bring more peace to ourselves and to those around us.

May these angry quotes encourage you to pause before responding, look for understanding, and choose words and actions that lead toward peace rather than regret.

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