Anger Quote by Harriet Lerner
“Anger is neither legitimate nor illegitimate, meaningful nor pointless. Anger simply is. To ask, "Is my anger legitimate?" is similar to asking, "Do I have the right to be thirsty? After all, I just had a glass of water fifteen minutes ago. Surely my thirst is not legitimate. And besides, what's the point of getting thirsty when I can't get anything to drink now, anyway?" Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention. We all have a right to everything we feel--and certainly our anger is no exception.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion, Harriet Lerner, 1991
Anger exists independently of justification; it is a natural response that deserves acknowledgment, not moral judgment.
In simple terms: Anger is natural and should be respected.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor your anger.
Themes
emotion
self-awareness
boundaries
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal conflict
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
psychology
acceptance
self‑compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to respect anger?
- How can you honor anger without acting destructively?
![“The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection [from transgression]. It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is al-Taqwa. It…” quote by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/454/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya-10803_als_the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becom_66500.jpg)
