Choosing between revenge and forgiveness when angry

Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 3|Chapter 194

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 3, Chapter 194

Choosing between revenge and forgiveness when angry

Hadith #240

١٩٤. وكان (عليه ‏السلام) يقول: مَتَى أَشْفِي غَيْظِي إِذَا غَضِبْتُ؟ أَحِينَ أَعْجِزُ عَنِ الِانْتِقَامِ فَيُقَالُ لِي: لَوْ صَبَرْتَ؟ أَمْ حِينَ أَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَيُقَالُ لي: لَوْ عَفَوْتَ.

194. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, used to say: If I am angry when shall I vent my anger - when I am unable to take revenge and it be said to me, “better you endure” or when I have power to take revenge and it be said to me, “better forgive”?