The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
– Seneca
Could a pastry truly ignite a war? Of all the foolish things that have led to nations going to war, could a pastry be the worst of all? In 1832, amid tensions between France and Mexico, a group of Mexican army officers visited a French pastry shop in Mexico City and sampled all the baker’s goods without paying. Though the details get complicated (and other provocations compounded the troubles), the result was the first Franco-Mexican War (1838-39)—known as the Pastry War—in which more than three hundred soldiers died. It’s sad what a moment of anger can incite.
This historical absurdity mirrors the conflicts we witness on a smaller scale every day. How many friendships have crumbled over a misinterpreted comment? How many marriages have fractured due to unresolved arguments fueled by pride and resentment? The roots of most human conflicts, from personal disputes to international crises, often lie in a similar soil of unmanaged anger, selfishness, and the foolish pursuit of power or perceived slights.
Our perceptions, often clouded by ego and fueled by immediate reactions, can twist minor offenses into major grievances. We build narratives of injustice and respond with counter-aggression, escalating situations that might have been easily diffused with a moment of calm reflection and understanding. The Pastry War, in its bizarre origin, serves as an extreme but potent metaphor for the self-destructive nature of allowing anger to dictate our actions.
Learning to manage our anger, to pause before reacting, and to seek understanding rather than immediate retaliation is crucial, both in our personal lives and on a global scale.
Recognizing the foolishness that often underlies conflict can be the first step toward building bridges instead of walls.
Will we continue to let petty grievances and unchecked anger lead to destruction, or will we choose the path of understanding and restraint?
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A sad tale, Dennis.
We indulge our anger, and fan its flame, calling ourselves righteous in or outrage. Rage and Wrath are our greed for power and control. Our righteous pretentions are just another expression of pride and the arrogance of our ego.
“How dare you refuse to pay ME, for that croissant, Me a Frenchman, whose country invented the pastry! Die, you Spanish speaking dog!”
Wars have been fought over a perceived lack of respect. Respect is important, but perhaps not worth killing and dying for.
I will need to remember this when I get pissed off. Thanks.
“Our righteous pretentions are just another expression of pride and the arrogance of our ego.” says it all, Alan. Thanks for affirming the message, my friend.
Resentment is certainly one of the most widespread mental and emotional dispositions in today’s society. Resentment towards politics, towards this or that football team, resentment towards the State, the economy, towards one’s employer, colleagues, ex-partners, teachers, ex-friends and so on and so forth.
And if it is quite natural after a wrong suffered, to have reactions such as developing a resentment and/or thinking of revenge, we must agree that these are actions that do not produce any positive effect. Among other things, those who do not know how to find a way out to free themselves from so much anger and bitterness, end up making resentment their way of life.
Much more effective would be to dialogue, understand, commit to reconciliation. The time invested in reacting to resentment should be transformed into time dedicated to seeking reconciliation, where possible.
The culture of forgiveness exists: Christian forgiveness is not moral forgiveness, but rather understanding that the other, at root, is equal to us, accompanied by the awareness that every passion that inhabits our mind does not define identity. Resentment – like guilt, joy, sadness, shame – can inhabit our mind but we can let it slide to the peripheries of consciousness. For one purpose: not to let ourselves be dominated by what is, ultimately, only a state of mind and body.
Indeed, Aldo, resentment appears to be a pervasive sentiment in contemporary society, manifesting in various aspects of life. While understandable as an initial reaction to perceived wrongs, dwelling on resentment proves counterproductive, often becoming a defining characteristic for those unable to move beyond it. Embracing dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation offers a far more constructive path forward. The concept of forgiveness, particularly in its understanding of shared human essence and the transient nature of emotions, provides a powerful framework for releasing resentment and preventing it from becoming a dominant force in one’s life. Thank you for your invaluable insights!
Thanks for the feedback and other informative thoughts.
A worthy post my friend, Dennis.
The pastry war resulted in over three hundred deaths, highlighting the destructive power of anger and selfishness. The Pastry War serves as a metaphor for the self-destructive nature of allowing anger to dictate actions. Recognizing the foolishness that often underlies conflict can help build bridges instead of walls, promoting self-management and understanding in personal and global relationships.
So true as when humans overreact the cost is heavy and unthinkable.
This shows what the loss of self-control can lead to.
Indeed, Ali, the disproportionate cost in lives underscores the tragic consequences when unchecked emotions and self-interest fuel conflict. Recognizing the inherent folly in such overreactions serves as a potent reminder of the critical importance of self-control and understanding, both in our individual lives and on the broader world stage, fostering connection rather than division. Your added perspectives are very much appreciated, my friend – thank you!
Thanks, and it is my pleasure. Dennis
Very-well said Dennis. Thank you