One must make an effort not to submit to his anger but to overcome it. To a great extent, this is a test of a person’s character.

There are four types of temperaments: Concerning one who is easy to anger and easy to appease, his virtue is overshadowed by his flaw. Concerning one who is difficult to anger and difficult to appease, his flaw is overshadowed by his virtue. One who is difficult to anger and easy to appease is a pious person. One who is easy to anger and difficult to appease is a wicked person.

Rabbi Elai said: In three matters the true character of a person is exemplified: Through his cup [koso], his pocket [kiso], and his anger [ka’aso]. Some say through his laughter as well.

Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Hilfa bar Agra, who said it in the name of Rabbi Yohanan ben Nuri: Concerning one who rends his garments in his anger, or who breaks his vessels in his anger, or who scatters his money in his anger, he should be like an idol worshipper in your eyes, as that is the craft of the evil inclination: Today it tells him do this, and tomorrow it tells him do that, until ultimately it tells him: Worship idols, and he goes and worships idols. (Mishna Avot 5:11; Eiruvin 65b; Shabbat 105b)