Skip to content

Anger or rage (mênis, thumos, orgê) is an emotion, a…

“Anger or rage (mênis, thumos, orgê) is an emotion, a mixture of belief and desire. It is not a somatic feeling, as nausea and giddiness are, though it is usually accompanied by such feelings – trembling and blushing, for example, and the sense of seeing red. It is, in Aristotle’s definition, ‘a…” quote by C. D. C. Reeve
Download Open image
““Anger or rage (mênis, thumos, orgê) is an emotion, a mixture of belief and desire. It is not a somatic feeling, as nausea and giddiness are, though it is usually accompanied by such feelings – trembling and blushing, for example, and the sense of seeing red. It is, in Aristotle’s definition, ‘a desire, accompanied by pain, to take apparent revenge for apparent insult’.””

C. D. C. Reeve

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Anger combines belief and desire, feeling pain and a drive for revenge, not just physical symptoms.

In simple terms: Anger is belief plus desire for revenge, not just a feeling.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the belief behind anger.

Themes

philosophy psychology ethics

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical explanatory

When to use this quote

  • personal conflict
  • political debate
  • relationship tension

Key Concepts

Aristotelian theory emotion desire

Questions to Reflect On

  • What belief fuels your anger?
  • Can you separate feeling from desire?
A Different Perspective

Anger may also be a protective response, not merely destructive.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by C. D. C. Reeve

Explore all 5 C. D. C. Reeve quotes

More Anger quotes

Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes