“You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.”
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– Abraham Lincoln
This profound statement from Abraham Lincoln offers a unique lens through which to view human character. It suggests that anger, an often-misunderstood emotion, can be a powerful indicator of a person’s values and moral depth. Instead of judging someone by their accomplishments or their pleasantries, Lincoln proposes a different metric. He asks us to look at what ignites their passion and provokes their indignation. True greatness, in this view, is not about avoiding anger. Rather, it is about directing that anger toward things that truly matter.
The Anatomy of Great Anger
Lincoln’s quote forces us to distinguish between petty grievances and righteous indignation. Anyone can become angry over a personal insult or a minor inconvenience. For example, frustration in traffic or annoyance with slow service is common. These reactions, however, often stem from ego or entitlement. They reveal very little about a person’s core principles. They are fleeting and self-centered.
Greatness, conversely, reveals itself through anger aimed at larger issues. A person of great character gets angry about injustice, cruelty, corruption, and the violation of principles. Their anger is not about personal slights. Instead, it is a response to the suffering of others or a threat to fundamental values like liberty and fairness. This type of anger is a moral compass. It points directly to what a person holds sacred. It is the fuel for advocacy, reform, and progress.
Lincoln: A Case Study in Righteous Anger
We can see this principle embodied in Lincoln’s own life. His political career was defined by his deep-seated opposition to the institution of slavery. While his initial public stance was focused on preventing its expansion, his personal writings and speeches reveal a growing moral outrage. He was angered by the dehumanization and injustice that slavery represented. This was not a petty or self-serving anger. It was a righteous fury against a profound moral wrong that threatened the very soul of the nation.
This principled anger ultimately fueled his resolve during the Civil War. It guided the Emancipation Proclamation and his vision for a reunited, more just nation. Historians have extensively documented his evolving views and the moral conviction that underpinned his presidency . His anger was a catalyst for one of the most significant moral and political transformations in American history. Source
Applying the Lincoln Test in Modern Life
Lincoln’s wisdom remains incredibly relevant today. We can use his words as a tool for self-reflection and for evaluating the character of others, especially those in leadership positions. It encourages us to pause and examine the source of our own frustrations. What truly makes our blood boil? Is it a delayed package, or is it the news of systemic inequality? Is it a critical comment on social media, or is it the destruction of our environment?
By answering these questions honestly, we gain insight into our own character. Our anger can show us where our values truly lie. Furthermore, it can motivate us to act. A recent poll suggests a divide in what triggers public anger. For instance, some surveys indicate that while a majority of people report anger over political and social issues, a significant portion still ranks personal inconveniences as a primary trigger .
Evaluating Leadership Through Anger
This quote also provides a powerful framework for assessing our leaders. When a public figure expresses anger, we should look closely at its target. Are they angry about a perceived personal attack or negative media coverage? Or are they angry about poverty, a failing healthcare system, or a threat to democratic institutions? The former suggests a fragile ego, while the latter points to a leader with a strong moral core and a genuine concern for the public good. Their anger can reveal whether they serve themselves or a higher purpose.
Channeling Anger for Positive Change
Ultimately, Lincoln’s quote is not an endorsement of uncontrolled rage. It is a call to cultivate a principled and constructive form of anger. Anger itself is just an emotion; it is neutral. Its moral quality depends entirely on its source and its expression. When harnessed correctly, righteous anger can be one of the most powerful forces for good in the world. It has fueled civil rights movements, sparked revolutions, and driven countless acts of courage and reform.
Therefore, we should not suppress our anger when we witness injustice. Instead, we should examine it. We can let it clarify our values and strengthen our resolve. A person of greatness does not let injustice slide. They allow it to make them angry, and then they use that anger to make the world a better place.