“He is happy, whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent, who can suit his temper to any circumstances.”

— David Hume, book An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

§ 6.9 : Of Qualities Useful to Ourselves, Pt. 1
An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751)

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David Hume138

Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian 1711–1776

Ziauddin Barani (1285–1357) Indian Muslim historian and political thinker (1285–1357)

Fatawa-i-Jahandari, p.64. quoted from Lal, K. S. (1992). The legacy of Muslim rule in India. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan. Chapter 4
Fatawa-i-Jahandari

“I can fully appreciate the fury and anger that a person can feel when put through a humiliating experience by a cop, but I would recommend strongly that a person maintain his cool, and in no circumstances lose his temper. If you lose your temper, you are playing right into the cop's hands.”

William Powell (author) book The Anarchist Cookbook

"Postscript", p. 154.
The Anarchist Cookbook (1971)

“He who does not improve his temper together with his understanding, is not much the better for it.”

John Mason (1706–1763) English Independent minister and author

A Treatise on Self-Knowledge (1745)

“You’re far too prickly tempered to be a mistress. You’re far better suited as a wife.”

Lisa Kleypas (1964) American writer

Source: Married By Morning

“Through certain humors or passions, and from temper merely, a man may be completely miserable, let his outward circumstances be ever so fortunate.”

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671–1713) English politician and Earl

As quoted in Day's Collacon : An Encyclopaedia of Prose Quotations: (1884), p. 930; Actual quote: "That thro certain Humours or Passions, and from Temper merely, a Man may be completely miserable ; let his outward Circumstances be ever so fortunate." An inquiry concerning virtue, or merit, p. 52.