Suppose an enemy has hurt you.
That is his business.
Why should you annoy yourself
And hurt your mind, which is your business?
In tears you left your family,
They who were so kind and helpful.
So why not leave behind your enemy
And the anger that brings so much harm?
This anger which you embrace
Eats away at the very roots
Of all the virtues you strive to develop.
Who would be such a fool?
Someone else does evil deeds
And you get angry. But why?
Do you wish to copy him
And act as he does?
Suppose to annoy someone,
Provokes you to do something evil.
Why allow anger to arise and thereby
Do exactly what he wants you to do?
If you get angry
Then maybe he will suffer, maybe not.
But by being angry yourself
You certainly will suffer.
If enemies blinded by anger
Are content to walk the path of woe,
Why should you follow them
By getting angry yourself?
If a foe provokes you
To hurt yourself by getting angry,
Let that anger subside.
Do not harm yourself needlessly.