If anger is used properly, it can sharpen your focus to a high degree. There is a difference between a person approaching you with fear and approaching you with respect. Anger properly used can expose snakes that lay in the grass and it can gain loyalty if used to protect others.
This works because it rejects the usual split. Anger isn’t holy or toxic—it’s power. What you’re saying, and saying well, is that it’s not about suppressing it or exploding with it. It’s about directing it.
That line—“let it tell you what you’ll no longer tolerate”—is the hinge. That’s where the shift happens. Not in trying to stay calm, not in letting it boil over, but in actually listening to the fire and asking: what’s the standard that just got violated?
Most people skip that. They either vent or numb out. But what you’re pointing to is where the real work happens—turning anger into action that actually reshapes your life.
This isn’t just a post. It’s a mirror. Thanks for the reminder that rage, when listened to, can become clarity with a backbone.
Ah, my friend — what a potent stream of thought you’ve opened. Beneath every word, I do not hear anger. I hear power misidentified.
You speak of rage not as destruction, but as signal — and rightly so. For every emotion, even the fiercest, is a movement within consciousness, and therefore holy. You are not to fear these inner stirrings, but to understand them. For understanding transforms energy into intention.
You see, anger is not the enemy. Unconscious reaction is.
When you feel the flame rise, it is not a flaw. It is the soul reminding you: You are not in alignment. You have accepted a state — powerlessness, dishonor, disregard — that does not belong to you. And the fire within declares, “No more.”
But what shall you do?
You must not lash out. That is action from the old state. Instead, you must assume the new one.
If you feel disrespected, do not scream for validation.
Assume, “I am worthy. I am respected. I walk in dignity.”
And the world, unable to do otherwise, will reflect it.
If you are mistreated, do not grovel for justice.
Assume, “I am free. I am the author of my own life.”
And soon, without violence, you shall walk out of that prison.
This is not passivity. This is mastery.
For nothing is more powerful than a man or woman who knows:
“I do not need to react — I only need to revise.”
So let the ember burn. Not in your fists, but in your imagination.
Use the energy not to punish, but to persist in your assumption of better.
And you shall rise — not in protest, but in truth.
Anger has been something that I’ve been getting better at as I’m getting older, I think they call that maturing! But still anger does get the better of me sometimes
I get a lot of this. I believe that when I am angry there is something wrong with me. That is where my inventory of anger and every other negative emotion begins - with me😄.
I've been prone to losing my temper on occasions and I used to put it down to my ancestry and say oh its in the genes. But lately ive found myself in a position where someone may annoy me and instead of responding with anger I will speak to that person not in anger but in a forthright way saying last week you disappointed me or you let me down and this is why and often (not always) the person i'm explaining it to will respond firstly with an apology and then saying I didnt know my actions had that effect on you I will do better how can we resolve this? And usually we walk away still friendly and able to look each other in the eye and able to say hi when we pass in the street or whatever. I think anger is good when utilized in the correct way.
Anger seems to be a devilish emotion. A lot of bad decisions made in my life whilst angry. Stop watching the news, stay off social media, stay away from angry people, all things done to foster a calmer environment.
I have that kind of burning anger sometimes when someone crosses a line and my reactions aren’t the best in the moment. Sometimes that happens because I didn’t take action earlier than I should’ve. That kind of anger is often a consequence of letting things get too far. It burns too much, too quickly.
This is a great reminder to figure out what’s at the core of it, and then work towards a better option. Channel it in a more productive direction.
I’ve said for a while anger is a sign of a boundary violation and should be channeled into stopping the violation and preventing harm. I wish I had been taught this sooner. Thank you for this writing.
This view on anger is not one the Stoics would endorse. Anger according to all the major Stoics has no benefit that outweighs the costs.
This view on anger being useful is not Stoic philosophy. Aristotle thought anger had some benefit in some limited circumstances- but none of the major ancient Stoics said there are times where the benefits of anger can outweigh the costs.
If anger is used properly, it can sharpen your focus to a high degree. There is a difference between a person approaching you with fear and approaching you with respect. Anger properly used can expose snakes that lay in the grass and it can gain loyalty if used to protect others.
This works because it rejects the usual split. Anger isn’t holy or toxic—it’s power. What you’re saying, and saying well, is that it’s not about suppressing it or exploding with it. It’s about directing it.
That line—“let it tell you what you’ll no longer tolerate”—is the hinge. That’s where the shift happens. Not in trying to stay calm, not in letting it boil over, but in actually listening to the fire and asking: what’s the standard that just got violated?
Most people skip that. They either vent or numb out. But what you’re pointing to is where the real work happens—turning anger into action that actually reshapes your life.
This isn’t just a post. It’s a mirror. Thanks for the reminder that rage, when listened to, can become clarity with a backbone.
This piece? Fire. Controlled. Focused. Useful.
You nailed the paradox: anger isn't the villain—it’s the flare in the dark that says “something here is sacred—and it’s being violated.”
Too many confuse rage with tantrum. But this reminds us: the real work is transmutation. Not suppression, not explosion—refinement.
I felt this especially:
“Let it inspire commitment to your standards… and ignition of your ambition.”
Yes. The strongest people aren’t cold—they’re the ones who’ve forged their fury into clarity. Into craft. Into action.
Stoic fuel for a flaming world. Keep it coming.
Ah, my friend — what a potent stream of thought you’ve opened. Beneath every word, I do not hear anger. I hear power misidentified.
You speak of rage not as destruction, but as signal — and rightly so. For every emotion, even the fiercest, is a movement within consciousness, and therefore holy. You are not to fear these inner stirrings, but to understand them. For understanding transforms energy into intention.
You see, anger is not the enemy. Unconscious reaction is.
When you feel the flame rise, it is not a flaw. It is the soul reminding you: You are not in alignment. You have accepted a state — powerlessness, dishonor, disregard — that does not belong to you. And the fire within declares, “No more.”
But what shall you do?
You must not lash out. That is action from the old state. Instead, you must assume the new one.
If you feel disrespected, do not scream for validation.
Assume, “I am worthy. I am respected. I walk in dignity.”
And the world, unable to do otherwise, will reflect it.
If you are mistreated, do not grovel for justice.
Assume, “I am free. I am the author of my own life.”
And soon, without violence, you shall walk out of that prison.
This is not passivity. This is mastery.
For nothing is more powerful than a man or woman who knows:
“I do not need to react — I only need to revise.”
So let the ember burn. Not in your fists, but in your imagination.
Use the energy not to punish, but to persist in your assumption of better.
And you shall rise — not in protest, but in truth.
In love and awareness,
Kurt Juman✨
We’ve just been taught to muffle anger, shame it, or spin it into a LinkedIn virtue.
But maybe the most revolutionary thing we can do is listen to it long enough to hear what it’s really asking for: action, not theatrics.
📌 Your anger isn’t wrong. Your aim might be.
⬖ This thought paid rent at Frequency of Reason: https://bit.ly/4jTVv69
Anger has been something that I’ve been getting better at as I’m getting older, I think they call that maturing! But still anger does get the better of me sometimes
Responding rather than reacting is incredibly empowering and virtuous.
Actually anger is an emotion too.🫣
U have to control it too.
It’s part of the process ✨
I get a lot of this. I believe that when I am angry there is something wrong with me. That is where my inventory of anger and every other negative emotion begins - with me😄.
It’s not about the emotion itself. It’s about what you choose to do with it.
I've been prone to losing my temper on occasions and I used to put it down to my ancestry and say oh its in the genes. But lately ive found myself in a position where someone may annoy me and instead of responding with anger I will speak to that person not in anger but in a forthright way saying last week you disappointed me or you let me down and this is why and often (not always) the person i'm explaining it to will respond firstly with an apology and then saying I didnt know my actions had that effect on you I will do better how can we resolve this? And usually we walk away still friendly and able to look each other in the eye and able to say hi when we pass in the street or whatever. I think anger is good when utilized in the correct way.
Anger seems to be a devilish emotion. A lot of bad decisions made in my life whilst angry. Stop watching the news, stay off social media, stay away from angry people, all things done to foster a calmer environment.
I have that kind of burning anger sometimes when someone crosses a line and my reactions aren’t the best in the moment. Sometimes that happens because I didn’t take action earlier than I should’ve. That kind of anger is often a consequence of letting things get too far. It burns too much, too quickly.
This is a great reminder to figure out what’s at the core of it, and then work towards a better option. Channel it in a more productive direction.
I’ve said for a while anger is a sign of a boundary violation and should be channeled into stopping the violation and preventing harm. I wish I had been taught this sooner. Thank you for this writing.
Thank you for explaining how anger can be used for good! Totally got this !
This view on anger is not one the Stoics would endorse. Anger according to all the major Stoics has no benefit that outweighs the costs.
This view on anger being useful is not Stoic philosophy. Aristotle thought anger had some benefit in some limited circumstances- but none of the major ancient Stoics said there are times where the benefits of anger can outweigh the costs.