A fretful temper will divide the closest knot that may be tied, by ceaseless sharp corrosion; a temper passionate and fierce may suddenly your joys disperse at one immense explosion.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Those who are surly and imperious to their inferiors are generally humble, flattering, and cringing to their superiors.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
A cheerful temper, joined with innocence, will make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful, and wit good-natured. It will lighten sickness, poverty, and affliction; convert ignorance into an amiable simplicity, and render deformity itself agreeable.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Unsociable humors are contracted in solitude, which will, in the end, not fail of corrupting the understanding as well as the manners, and of utterly disqualifying a man for the satisfactions and duties of life. Men must be taken as they are, and we neither make them or ourselves better by flying from or quarreling with them.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
It was not that she was out of temper, but that the world was not equal to the demands of her fine organism.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
If a man has a quarrelsome temper, let him alone. The world will soon find him employment. He will soon meet with some one stronger than himself, who will repay him better than you can. A man may fight duels all his life, if he is disposed to quarrel.
—Richard Cecil
Many people lose their tempers merely from seeing you keep yours.
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
Good temper, like a sunny day, sheds a brightness over everything; it is the sweetener of toil and the soother of disquietude.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
More than half the difficulties of the world would be allayed or removed by the exhibition of good temper.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.
—Orson Welles (1915–85) American Film Director, Actor
Temper, if ungoverned, governs the whole man.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
It is an unhappy, and yet I fear a true reflection, that they who have uncommon easiness and softness of temper have seldom very noble and nice sensations of soul.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
One who restrains his temper, all his sins meet forgiveness.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
A lady of what is commonly called an uncertain temper—a phrase which being interpreted signifies a temper tolerably certain to make everybody more or less uncomfortable.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Temperament is but the atmosphere of character, while its groundwork in nature is fixed and unchangeable.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
Through certain humors or passions, and from temper merely, a man may be completely miserable, let his outward circumstances be ever so fortunate.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
A tart temper never mellows with age; and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener and sharper with constant use.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
Most people give off as much heat as a 100 watt bulb, but not as much light.
—Unknown
A man who cannot command his temper should not think of being a man of business.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Courtesy of temper, when it is used to veil churlishness of deed, is but a knight’s girdle around the breast of a base clown.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
A noble heart, like the sun, showeth its greatest countenance in its lowest estate.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Good temper is one of the greatest preservers of the features.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Take care; you know I am compliance itself, when I am not thwarted! No one more easily led, when I have my own way; but don’t put me in a frenzy.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Men lose their tempers in defending their taste.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Avoid letting temper block progress-keep cool.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Good temper is an estate for life.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man’s venom poisons himself more than his victim.
—Charles Buxton (1823–71) British Politician, Writer
When you’re in the right, you can afford to keep your temper. When in the wrong, you can’t afford to lose it.
—Unknown