Americans are struggling with anger. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anger as “an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.”
According to a 2025 report by the APA, 45% of Americans reported feeling angry or irritable.
Anger was an emotion that Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from 428 to 348 BCE, knew well and studied closely. He offered wisdom to those seeking answers on how to live a more peaceful life.
Centuries later, his sage insights are still helping people today. He offered a simple, single sentence to those seeking guidance.
Plato’s advice on anger
According to Plato, “There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.”
Plato did not shy away from discussing anger in his works on the human experience. He expanded on the Greek term thymos (also spelled thumos), describing it as an “internal psychological process of thought, emotion, volition, and motivation.”
Plato saw anger as part of human “spiritedness” and “passion.”
In an essay on Plato and anger, philosopher Gregory Sadler writes, “Anger arises from a perception not only that some harm has been done, some inconvenience has been imposed, some wish, desire, or intention has been frustrated — but all the more from a sense that some wrong has been committed, that someone or something is unjust.”
Rather than deeming anger morally right or wrong, Plato’s stance is more focused on what humans do with it.
How to deal with anger
Plato explained that there are two ways humans can view anger when it arises: through the lens of “what they can help, and what they cannot.”
Sadler notes, “For Plato, the goal is not total inirascability, an inability to grow angry — nor is it a godlike self-mastery that would preclude any angry responses whatsoever. There are situations in which one ought to grow angry, and act out that anger — when morally this is the right thing to do.”
The work comes in deciphering when to act on anger and when not to. In short: reason.
The APA notes that using logic is key to defusing anger:
“Logic defeats anger, because anger, even when it’s justified, can quickly become irrational. So use cold hard logic on yourself. Remind yourself that the world is ‘not out to get you,’ you’re just experiencing some of the rough spots of daily life. Do this each time you feel anger getting the best of you, and it’ll help you get a more balanced perspective.”
This is part of what the APA calls “cognitive restructuring,” explaining that it is important to focus on rationality: “For instance, instead of telling yourself, ‘oh, it’s awful, it’s terrible, everything’s ruined,’ tell yourself, ‘it’s frustrating, and it’s understandable that I’m upset about it, but it’s not the end of the world and getting angry is not going to fix it anyhow.’”
The APA adds, “Angry people tend to demand things: fairness, appreciation, agreement, willingness to do things their way.”
By turning these “demands” into “desires,” peace can be achieved.
“In other words, saying, ‘I would like’ something is healthier than saying, ‘I demand’ or ‘I must have’ something,” the APA says.
For more support, check out the APA’s resources on anger.
