Anger is short-lived in a good man.
Anger is short-lived in a good man.
Meaning in plain English
The saying praises allowing anger to pass rather than keeping a grievance alive. Its moral judgement is too simple: lasting anger does not by itself show that someone lacks good character.
Example
After two volunteers clarify a small scheduling misunderstanding, they stop repeating the accusation at every meeting while keeping the agreed correction in place.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The proverb links goodness with anger that does not last, presenting a willingness to move beyond irritation as admirable. A useful reading concerns avoiding repeated punishment for a small resolved disagreement. The wording should not become a measure of someone’s worth based on how quickly their feelings change. An unresolved wrong can give a person reason to remain angry, and calm conduct does not prove that a problem has ended. The practical distinction is between keeping a minor quarrel alive unnecessarily and continuing to seek a fair response to something that still needs attention.
When to use it
Use it cautiously when a minor resolved disagreement is being repeatedly revived.
Keep in mind
Persistent anger can have reasons; no one has to feel better quickly to count as a good person.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 29 · Anger
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗