The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
If a man meets with injustice, it is not required that he shall not be roused to meet it; but if he is angry after he has had time to think upon it, that is sinful. The flame is not wrong, but the coals are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of responding to injustice with initial passion, but urges reflection to avoid prolonged anger and bitterness.
Henry Ward Beecher suggests that it is natural to feel anger when confronted with injustice; however, one must take time to reflect before allowing that anger to fester. He draws a distinction between the initial emotional response, which can be justified, and the later cultivation of anger, which can become harmful and sinful if not managed. This implies a call for emotional intelligence in dealing with wrongs and a conscious effort to ensure that feelings of indignation do not lead to persistent negativity.
Themes
InjusticeAngerReflectionEmotional IntelligenceBitterness
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on social justice, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of addressing feelings of anger thoughtfully.
More from Henry Ward Beecher
All quotes βA man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
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We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
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No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
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