As fire is kindled by bellows, so is anger by words.语言使人激怒,犹如风箱会煽风点火。
本谚语以风箱煽火作比喻,非常形象化,本来中文有所谓“怒火”,就是以“火”此“怒”的。怒气犹如火焰,可以由于被刺激而越烧越旺,也可以控制得好而终于平息。以下几句谚语就是说明此意。
Patience provoked turns to fury.
忍耐受刺激后就爆发为愤怒。
Anger restrained is wisdom gained.
怒气受控,就是智慧得胜。《圣经》中也有说过:“A soft answer turneth away wrath.”(“婉言可以释怒。”)
说到“煽风点火”,英语有句习语fan the flames;至于“火上加油”,英语则有add fuel to the fire。关于anger的其他谚语可参阅:Anger is a short madness.(45)及:Anger dies quickly with a good man.