[2]
If
this definition is correct, the angry man must always be angry with a particular
individual （for instance, with Cleon, but not with men
generally）,
and
because this individual has done, or was on the point of doing, something
against him or one of his friends; and lastly, anger is always accompanied by a
certain pleasure, due to the hope of revenge to come. For it is pleasant to
think that one will obtain what one aims at; now, no one aims at what is
obviously impossible of attainment by him, and the angry man aims at what is
possible for himself. Wherefore it has been well said of anger, that “
Far sweeter than dripping honey down the throat it spreads in men's
hearts.1
” for it is accompanied by a certain pleasure, for this reason
first,2 and
also because men dwell upon the thought of revenge, and the vision that rises
before us produces the same pleasure as one seen in dreams.
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1 Hom. Il. 18.109 （cp. 1.11.9）.
2 The thought of revenge in the future, as distinguished from dwelling upon it in the present.
Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22, translated by J. H. Freese. Aristotle. Cambridge and London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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