An action comitted in anger is an action doomed to failure.
Interpretation
Acts taken in anger often lead to poor outcomes and regret.
This quote by Genghis Khan emphasizes the consequences of letting emotions, particularly anger, drive our decisions. It reminds us that actions taken in a heated state are usually not well-considered and can lead to negative results, urging individuals to pause and reflect before acting in anger to avoid future failures.
In practice
During a team meeting when discussing the importance of maintaining professionalism, one might quote Genghis Khan's thoughts on anger.
Heaven grew weary of the excessive pride and luxury of China... I am from the Barbaric North. I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse-herders. We make the same sacrifices and we share.. our riches. I look upon the nation as a new-born child and I care for my soldiers as though they were my brothers.
It is not sufficient that I succeed - all others must fail.
With Heaven's aid I have conquered for you a huge empire. But my life was too short to achieve the conquest of the world. That task is left for you
I hate luxury. I exercise moderation…It will be easy to forget your vision and purpose one you have fine clothes, fast horses and beautiful women. [In which case], you will be no better than a slave, and you will surely lose everything.
The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it.
If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.
I have the capacity of being more wicked than any example that man could set me.
The world is a beautiful book, but of little use to him who cannot read it.
To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
You’re talking about Rwanda or Bangladesh, or Cambodia, or the Philippines. They’ve got democracy, according to Freedom House. But have you got a civilised life to lead? People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write an editorial as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.
We complain today that ministers do not know how to preach; but is it not equally true that our congregations do not know how to hear?
Treat every piece of advice as a gift or a compliment and simply say, “Thank you.
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