In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for truth and have begun striving for ourselves. (Abraham J. Heschel, 20th century Polish-born American rabbi)

When we’re having an argument about serious issues, it’s difficult not to become angry, isn’t it? We are so sure we are right that we sometimes just don’t control our emotions. We seem to think that truth needs us to defend it, but most often, we’re really just defending ourselves. When we learn to control our emotions, we’ll be better defenders of the truth.

For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife (Proverbs 30:33).