The largest share of the annoyances of life, its daily corroding cares, its heartaches, its irritation, is the result of a temper uncontrolled. The harmony of the domestic circle is often broken by a hasty word and abusive language. How much better were it left unsaid. One smile of pleasure, one peaceful, approving word spoken in the spirit of meekness, would be a power to soothe, to comfort, and to bless. The government of self is the best government in the world. By putting on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the troubles which so terribly embitter life might be saved. Many excuse their hasty words and passionate tempers by saying: “I am sensitive; I have a hasty temper.” This will never heal the wounds made by hasty, passionate words. Some, indeed, are naturally more passionate than others; but this spirit can never harmonize with the Spirit of God. The natural man must die, and the new man, Christ Jesus, take possession of the soul, so that the follower of Jesus may say in verity and truth: “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” {4T 348.3}

De fleste af livets besværligheder, de dagligt ætsende bekymringer, hjertesorger, irritation, er resultatet af et ustyrligt temperament. Hjemmekredsens harmoni brydes ofte af overilede ord og et groft sprog. Hvor meget bedre, hvis det var usagt. Et fornøjeligt smil, et fredfyldt, billigende ord sagt i en ydmyg ånd, vil være en formildende, trøstende og vellignende kraft. Styringen af selvet er det bedste regeringsmiddel i verden. Ved at påtage sig den ydmyge og stille ånds smykke, kunne nioghalvfems ud af hundrede trængsler spares. Mange undskylder deres overilede ord og heftige temperament med at sig: "Jeg er følsom; jeg har et ildert temperament." Dette vil aldrig helbrede den skade der er gjort ved overilede og heftige ord. Nogle er af naturen mere opfarende end andre; men denne ånd kan aldrig harmonere med Guds Ånd. Det naturlige menneske må dø og det nye menneske, (349) Jesus Kristus, tager sjælen i besiddelse, så at Jesu efterfølgere kan sige sandelig: »Og det er ikke længer mig, der lever, men Kristus lever i mig.«