This is an interesting perspective. I agree a good bit of anger probably does arise from arrogance.
On the other hand, I’m more of a Taoist then a Buddhist in my personal philosophy. Some anger seems legitimately justified.
Yesterday, for instance, I was rear-ended while waiting at stop light. I was not really angry at the man who ran into me with his car until he began to lie about it to the policeman. I was a little angry because his lies were so patently absurd . . . but my anger was also tempered with a bit of good humor.
The fella who hit me hopped out of the car to check and see if I was injured. Fortunately, I was not nor was anyone else. I dialed nine-one-one the moment I turned off my ignition.
The man seemed to have forgotten he left the driver’s door open when he came to speak to me, a detail which sticks in my mind. Later on he tried to convince the policeman it was his girlfriend driving the car!
Further, he stated that someone had rear-ended him and driven away from the scene of the accident. Yet, there was no damage to the rear of his car. He explained this saying someone, “hit me in the tow hitch which is why there is no damage to the back of my car.” An argument absurd on the surface and a hilarious example of one who, “doth protest too much.”
Had he been more genuine, I would have been open to his pleadings regarding not getting his insurance company involved. But his dishonesty, not the unfortunate circumstances of the accident, guarantee that he will end up having to deal with insurance penalties.
Today, I’m a bit sore; I hope that that is all there is to it as far as injuries are concerned, but only time will tell.
I am not angry today, but I do feel a little insulted he might think me stupid enough to believe it abide his story. Surely karma and perhaps also the mythical Furies will come to avenge the fellow’s mendacity.
Unjustified anger is bad. An unforgiving heart, equally so. Honesty is the best policy as facts can be quite stubborn little things. The truth is capable of both finding you out and setting you free — depending on the circumstances.
I stand by with open eyes, awaiting the justice of the Universe as it unfolds.
e
