Flying Off the Handle

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)

The expression, “Fly off the handle,” is used when one quickly loses his temper. The original expression comes to us from the use of tools. After tools have set in the shed for months, the wooden handle becomes dry and shrinks. When various tools such as an ax are used, the iron can easily fly off the handle because of the shrunken wood. When the blade of an ax flies off the handle, it is very dangerous to the user and everyone standing nearby. Similarly, when one, “flies off the handle” (has a violent explosion of anger), it endangers everyone.

Let us learn to rule our spirits.