I very much need to read and recite this quote every day:
“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.”
— St Augustine of Hippo
How about you, dear readers? Do these words speak to you?
© 2011 by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg
I like that it reminds us that despair isn’t a choice here. Despair is immobilizing. But anger can give us just the right charge, the fire, to get to work. I have to think about this one as it applies to my own life.
Sage, you’re quite right. I think that the fact that our culture takes a dim view of anger is what leads to despair. And with despair, nothing changes.
I find it a very positive statement: it exhorts one not to accept things that are wrong, but to fight for one’s beliefs and principles.
It also seems to imply that struggle is a good thing, not something to be mourned.
I love it! I posted it on my tumblr.
Glad it spoke to you!
Beautiful quote. St. Augustine was no fool, even if I don’t share his theology.
St. Augustine had a number of brilliant things to say. I appreciate people who are tuned into spiritual matters, whatever their theology happens to be.
Love it. Sage touched on something important, for with despair comes depression and inaction. I think that can be a natural reaction and as human beings we’re allowed a certain amount of time to be “stuck” in that dark, angry place, but at some point we must lick our wounds and summon the courage (and strength and support, I might add) to DO something.
Amen, Beth.
One of my favorites:
Anybody can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.
Aristotle
What an excellent quote, Phil. Thanks for sharing it!