Seneca: You have seen your friend in a rage with the…

We often borrow other people's outrage without asking whether it is ours to carry. Your friend is turned away by an assistant, and suddenly you are furious at the assistant too. But perhaps they are following instructions, protecting a schedule, or doing a difficult job with little authority. Getting angry at them is like getting angry at a guard dog for guarding. This does not mean every rule is fair or every gatekeeper is blameless. It means we should direct our energy toward the actual source of the problem rather than the nearest powerless person. Before joining someone else's anger, ask what happened, who had the decision-making power, and what response could help. Loyalty does not require blind escalation. Sometimes the most useful thing you can offer a frustrated friend is not a louder complaint, but a calmer perspective and a better next step.