Thirukkural-On Virtue-Control Of Temper-Kural 303

As only evil consequences can come out of it,
Anger is best avoided in respect of all.

Anger can be productive of evil only and is, therefore, best eschewed. Parimelalagar would explain the phrase 'Yaar maatum' as covering the three classes 'Valiyaar' (superiors) 'Opaar' (equals) & 'Meliyaar' (inferiors). Anger is a vice which is bad in itself, irrespective of other external circumstances of its origin and destination. It is also productive of further evil. That is why Seneca said 'If anger is not restrained it is frequently more hurtful than the injury which provoked it'. The Gita would say (16,21) that anger is one of the triple gates of hell-alongside with lust and greed. Milton too speaks of anger (ire) as one of the three besetting passions of Satan, together with envy and despair in Paradise Lost, Book IV.

A Biblical parallel to this idea is enshrined in the following lines:

'Anger and wrath, these also are abominations
and the sinful man will possess them'.
(Sirach 27:30)

'That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgement. Whosoever shall say to his brother Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say 'thou fool' shall be in danger of hell fire'.
(Matt. 5:22)