The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-06-01
A GOOD WORD FOR BAD TEMPER

1t may sound paradoxical to say so, but
it is true, that the best people sometimes
have the worst tempers. In the same way,
saints are often those who have overcome
the most sin. Persons who feel deeply,
whose sensibilities are keen and strong,
rarely find it easy to maintain uniform
placid exterior, and the struggle between
their passions and their calmer wisdom is
often terrific one. There are others who
never seem to be troubled-whO are amia-
BILE with an amiability that it seems mpos-
sible to rutile-who never show any signs
of irritation, but are always equable and
cheerful Such persons are doubtless much
to be admired, but their society becomes
in time not only exceedingly monotonous,
but even exceedingly aggravating. Try as
we will, we cannot get them to show fire.
They are devoid of enthusiasm, as they are
incapable of anger.
Nothing disturbs that serene stiffness,
which is certainly not the stiffness of death
A hearty quarrel is al impossibilty.
Whatever we may do or say they never get
cross with us or call us Objectionable names
All this is undeniably irritating. 1t is
quite refreshing to pass from the company
of one of these to a warm, full -blooded
individual of susceptible passions. 1t is a
treat to feel that the hand which grips ours
could, if need be, strike hard. 1t may
sound very paganish to say So but we do
love little spice of human nature. Sturdy
truth and faithfulness generally lie behind
some capability of honest anger. We know
that those friends who often seem mos
cross and irritable are really our staunchest
and most reliable ones. Not that bad
temper in itself can never be an admirable
thing, but that it is often accompanied by
very sterling qualities. 1t generally CO.
exists with strength of character and indie
pendence of spirit. Mean and treacherous
persons are frequently amiable; butter will
not melt in their mouths, nor at their
hearts.
OF course, it is very herctical to say a
good word for bad temper. But let us
recollect that all temper is not necessarily
bad, nor all equability good. Warm, SEN
sitive feelings cannot always be concealed,
and little sincerity of emotion is some
times gratifying. What is the good OF
always saying peace when there is nc
peace, of Stimulating approval when we
feel none, of appearing satisfied when
we are really Disguised? No good, and
much harm, may easily come of an eternal
placidity. 1t is not always right to seem
| pleased at everything. No one will uphold
genuine bad temper, which causes its
owner and everyone else much wretched
ness; but the capablity of anger, the posi-.
bility of not only sparks but heat, is a
virtue rather than otherwise.
II we are sincere, we cannot always con.
ceal our deepest feelings, nor is it desirable
that we should. Evil thoughts, fretfulness,
sullenness, should be most sternly repressed
but, while holding the mastery over its
display, we need not be ashamed of a
faculty of occasional anger. Such anger
should not be jealous or selfish 1t should
be reused on behalf of others-when we see
others ill-treated or hear them spoken of
wrongfully. On our own accounts, a
greater forbearance is advisable. What the
world says of us need not fret us much.
But if no wrong done to others, or lie
spoken of them, can raise us to righteous
anger, we feel sure that we are hopelessly
selfish and hardened. In like manner, if
nothing that our friends do or say to our
selves rouses our deepest feelings, we may
be sure that we do not care much for these
friends But we need never break into
furious temper, which is often the mad
excess of what was originally good
thing.