The measure of a man

Today at work I lost my temper, or perhaps it would be more accurate to state that I found it. Temper is a measure of strength in metal and, it seems, also in a man. To contain one’s anger and be self-controlled is a mark of strength, this I know to be true. However, if that were the only such measure, then there would be no such thing as righteous indignation, only the less honorable variety would exist.
The danger, as is so often the case, lies in the extremes. True strength, or temper if you will, knows not only when it should be restrained, but just as clearly it is aware when it must be expressed, and to what extent. The peril then, is not always in expressing the indignation, but in repressing it when it is due. Righteous indignation, when it is denied voice, becomes, in the end, simply bitterness and anger, and such anger that also has as its target now also our own self for pushing it aside when it was pure and had a chance, at least, for greatness