"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a
city." (Prov. 16:32)
Erwin Lutzer, in his book Managing Your Emotions, writes: "We all know that Alexander the
Great conquered the world. But what few people know is that this mighty general could not
conquer himself. Cletus, a dear friend of Alexander's and a general in his army, became
intoxicated and ridiculed the emperor in front of his men. Blinded by anger, quick as lightning,
Alexander snatched a spear from the hand of a soldier and hurled it at Cletus. Though he had only
intended to scare the drunken general, his aim was true and the spear took the life of his
childhood friend. Deep remorse followed his anger. Overcome with guilt, Alexander tried to take
his own life with the same spear, but was stopped by his men. For days he lay sick calling for his
friend Cletus, chiding himself as a murderer." Lutzer concluded by saying, "Alexander the Great
conquered many cities. He conquered many countries, but he failed miserably to conquer his own
self."
Truly, he who rules his own spirit is better than he who takes a city.