Proverb / Kotowaza
怒りは敵と思え
Control your anger because acting on it can lead to your own ruin.
Think of anger as your enemy
Quick Answer
Control your anger because acting on it can lead to your own ruin.
- Literal Image
- Think of anger as your enemy
- Closest Equivalent
- Anger is the enemy of wisdom
- How to Use It
- Used to advise someone to maintain self-control and avoid making decisions while angry.
Meaning
This proverb teaches that letting anger dictate your actions can lead to self-destruction. By viewing your own anger as a dangerous foe rather than an ally, you can better restrain your impulses and avoid negative consequences.
Literal Image
Think of anger as your enemy
Equivalent Proverbs
Anger is the enemy of wisdom
Focuses on the loss of wisdom rather than self-ruin.
How to Use It
Used to advise someone to maintain self-control and avoid making decisions while angry.
Tone
Instructional and cautionary; used in the context of life advice.
Examples
つい言い過ぎてしまったが、怒りは敵と思えという言葉を思い出し、まず深呼吸して冷静になろうと決めた。
I almost said too much, but I remembered the saying 'think of anger as your enemy' and decided to take a deep breath and calm down first.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of familiar words, but the use of the imperative form 'omoe' and the abstract conceptual lesson are less transparent for beginners.
怒り
いかり / ikari
anger
敵
てき / teki
enemy
思う
おもう / omou
to think; to consider
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a piece of advice for self-reflection or warning; avoid using it in a way that dismisses legitimate grievances.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse this with a literal instruction to avoid all anger; it specifically warns against letting anger lead to self-destructive actions.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is attributed to the testamentary instructions (遺訓) of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In the instructions that include the line 'Life is like a long journey with a heavy burden,' he included the warning to 'think of anger as your enemy,' emphasizing the importance of suppressing a hot-headed nature.
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