משלי, פרק כ״ט, פסוק כ״ב

Anger is a destructive force that ruins both social connections and a person's inner moral world. It is a dynamic process that grows from minor disputes into severe moral failures. For the impatient individual, this anger is not hidden; it is clearly visible on his face [אבן עזרא]. Driven by this visible frustration, he actively stirs up quarrels [מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Through harsh words and harmful actions, he collects enemies and constantly multiplies conflict with those around him [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. This constant instigation may even awaken divine judgment against him [רש״י].

There is a distinct difference between external frustration and a deep, burning inner rage [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. A person driven by outward anger might still look for excuses or logical claims to justify harming someone else. However, one consumed by inner rage abandons all need for disguise or justification. He commits evil without any regard for law or justice, turning himself into a major wrongdoer [מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators is that anger completely strips away a person's ability to reason, blinding him to the reality of his actions. In this state, spiritual teachings cannot hold him back. He loses all sense of awe, to the point where even the presence of God means nothing to him. This total loss of self-control inevitably leads him to commit great offenses, harm others, and ultimately destroy his own body and soul [רלב״ג, מצודת דוד, עמנואל הרומי].

Viewing this dynamic from another angle, anger often takes the form of an escalating dispute between two people. The impatient individual sparks the conflict with harsh words and insults, entirely avoiding a peaceful resolution. In response, the second person, even if initially less angry, refuses to accept the humiliation quietly. He strikes back with even greater intensity to overpower the instigator. This reaction multiplies the offenses, dragging the situation down into severe curses and insults, and ultimately turns the responding person into a major wrongdoer as well [אלשיך].