Excellence Not Anger
According to the First Noble Truth of Suffering, there are eight kinds of suffering in life, and hatred is one of them. It brings unspeakable suffering and arises when we encounter undesirable people or situations.
Although our parents and teachers have repeatedly taught us to control our anger, we often ignore their advice and easily get angry with people and things in all kinds of situations. For example, I might be furious because you were not friendly or respectful. I might even resent you because you are better than I am or have a different view. Your success or wealth might agitate me. Your meaningless glance or words might enrage me just because I am too sensitive. No matter what the situation is, if I make up my mind to be angry and resentful, nothing will stop this powerful emotion from arising.
People are too quick to unleash their anger, and as a result, an air of tension and negativity permeates our society. Everywhere we turn, we see acts of violence, and anywhere we go, we are assaulted by a strong sense of hatred and resentment. It seems like everyone is on edge and ready to explode. Although we were taught to be patient and reasonable, we can never stay calm and clear-minded when failure and hardships rear their ugly heads in life. Instead of fighting for our sanity, we choose to give in to anger and spite.
"Excellence, not anger" is a proverb of lasting value. Striving to excel is not to strive for temporary excellence but to seek lasting strength for the right and the just. It is to combat evil with righteousness and narrow-mindedness with tolerance and to cultivate the "Great Spirit of Nobility." These should be our standards when we praise and follow the examples of wise ancient sages and the noble virtues of benevolent people.
Striving to excel is to not be discouraged by temporary setbacks, but to strive vigorously to improve even after failure. It is not to lose determination or ambition when we encounter setbacks, but to rejuvenate by dedicating our efforts to future success. We need to be people of integrity who inspire courage and greatness. If we fight our way through adversities and frustrations and turn grief and indignation into formidable strength by the sheer force of our will, we can achieve a better future and a brighter outlook.
Why does anger invade our hearts and take hold of our minds? It is because we have too many pent-up resentments and frustrations. We should never allow ourselves to be let down, stay mad, or lose our strength, because we should know that a deflated ball has no use whatsoever. Only by not letting ourselves down can we acquire a position of invincibility.
If we want to strive for success and never give up our quest, we must first have the determination to improve and the courage to conduct our-selves properly. Without a strong will, we lack the power that is necessary to propel us upward, and without the strength to excel and not give up, it will be impossible for us to steer clear of anger and resentment. Therefore, by having a strong resolve to better ourselves, we will have nothing to worry about in our lives.
全原文如下：
星雲大師點撥
《迷悟之間》：生氣與爭氣
人生有八苦，其中「怨憎會苦」就是遇到不如意的人、事，由心中生出怨恨、氣惱，所以苦不堪言。
從小，老師、長者，甚至父母都對我們諄諄教誨，叫我們不要生氣，然而我們幾乎都是氣桶子，經常要拿人、拿事來出氣。例如見到你對我不友善、不尊重我，我要生氣；見到你好、你榮，我要生氣；見到你不同於我的思想、理念，我也要生氣。你發財了，我生氣；你金榜題名、功成名就，我也要生氣。你對我不好，我生氣；你做得太好了，我也要生氣，甚至因為自己過分敏感，因此容易因為別人的一句話、一個眼色而生氣。
生氣，生氣，現代人因為太容易生氣了，因此社會到處充滿了殺氣、火氣、怨氣、恨氣、怒氣，乃至穢氣、臭氣，真是到處烏煙瘴氣。雖然父母師長時常叫我們要「爭氣」，不要「生氣」，可是我們遇到挫折困苦的時候，總是不能堅強忍耐，不懂得自我「爭氣」。
不要「生氣」要「爭氣」，這實在是一句至理名言。所謂「爭氣」，不是要我們爭一時之氣，而要爭千秋萬世的正氣。如文天祥的「正氣歌」，鼓勵人要以正氣對治邪氣；孟夫子說要養浩然之氣，鼓勵我們要以開擴的心胸來對治褊狹之氣。
古來的仁人君子，我們並不以富貴名位來定其歷史上的成就，而是因為他具有磅礡之氣才為我們所歌頌、讚歎。
所謂爭氣，也就是不因一時的失敗而洩氣，要能力圖上進；不因一時的挫折而喪氣，要能奮發圖強；不因一時的貧苦而壯士氣短，應該要鼓舞精神，要更加爭氣。當一個人受到挫折委屈時，只有自己努力「爭氣」，能以願心為動能，能夠化悲憤為力量，才有前途未來。
一個人之所以會「生氣」，主要是心裏的悶氣太多了，希望吾人要「爭氣」，不要「生氣」，更不要「洩氣」；洩氣的皮球，則什麼也不必談了，唯有自我「爭氣」，才能使自己立於不敗之地！
要爭氣，就得先要有志氣！立志向上，立志做人，立志爭氣；立志就是爭氣的原動力。吾人如果要得不生氣，就必須要「爭氣」；吾人要想「爭氣」，就必得先要立志。人有志氣，又何患無成呢？
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