It helps one not to be upset by trivial incidents however unpleasant in our daily lives and thus not lose peace of soul. It is a virtue that everyone is called upon to exercise frequently. It is important because it prepares the way for the practice of all the other virtues. Virtuous action is usually difficult and likely to cause sorrow on the sense level. Patience, by moderating the emotion of sorrow, removes one of the serious obstacles to the practice of the other virtues.
All virtues owe something to patience, and no one can long follow the path of virtue without it.
It is not just disregard of or indifference to life s daily irritations or upsetting incidents, but a real control of self, of one s feelings and impulses. On the contrary, impatience is the lack of self-control, and leads to other and greater faults. It can easily grow into anger, irritability, harsh words, unpleasantness towards others, etc. Many a serious quarrel starts with impatience over little annoyances or inconveniences. Do away with patience and the gates are open for a flood of discontent and sin.