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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 68: The Distinguishing Marks of Wrath and Justifiable Indignation?; And How Often…
The distinguishing mark of wrath is the impulse of a soul which meditates evil against him who has exasperated it; the mark of a wise indignation2 is the aim of correcting the sinner, springing from a feeling of displeasure at what has happened. But there is nothing surprising in a soul beginning with good and falling into evil, for you could find many instances. Wherefore we must remember the words of inspired Scripture: They laid stumblingblocks near my way3; and again: “And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.”4 And everywhere we must guard against lack of restraint, timeliness and discipline. For this reason each of the things we have mentioned even though it seemed to be good has often turned into sin.
Notes
- θυμοῦ . . . ἀγανακτήσεως. θυμός is discussed in B. 55 with other words denoting anger.
- Milligan-Moulton’s instances of ἀγανακτεῖν, ἀγανάκτησις support B.’s views, being mostly connected with official displeasure.
- Ps. cxl. 5.
- 2 Tim. ii. 5.