“We are not angry with people we fear or respect, as long as we fear or respect them; you cannot be afraid of a person and also at the same time angry with him.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“We are not angry with people we fear or respect, as long as we fear or respect them; you cannot be afraid of a person and also at the same time angry with him.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle explores the relationship between fear, respect, and anger. He argues that we cannot experience anger toward someone we fear or respect because the emotional dynamics of fear and respect dominate our feelings, preventing us from becoming angry. When we fear or respect someone, we generally perceive them as possessing qualities or power that place them above us in some way—whether due to authority, knowledge, or moral standing. In such cases, anger is unlikely because it implies a challenge or judgment of the person, which is incompatible with the deference we show when we fear or respect them. Aristotle suggests that anger arises when we feel wronged or disrespected, but this doesn’t typically happen with people we view with fear or respect, as we see them as worthy of their position or actions.
This idea remains relevant in understanding human emotion and hierarchical relationships. In modern times, individuals often don’t feel anger toward authority figures or those they hold in high esteem—such as bosses, mentors, or public figures—because these figures command a certain level of reverence or intimidation that prevents conflict. Instead, we may feel frustration, but not necessarily anger, because anger often requires a sense of equality or challenging authority.
For instance, a student may not feel anger toward a teacher they respect, even if they receive harsh criticism, because they acknowledge the teacher’s expertise and position. Similarly, employees might feel frustration but not anger toward their superiors because they respect their position or authority. Aristotle’s insight into the emotional dynamics between fear, respect, and anger suggests that our feelings are shaped by the relative power and status we attribute to others, and the emotions we feel toward them are determined by these perceptions.
