What is the Point of Anger?

If those who are like wanton children
Are by nature prone to injure others,
What point is there in being angry--
Like resenting fire for its heat?

-Bodhicaryavatara

Here's another translation of the above quote:

even if it were the nature of the childish
to cause harm to other beings,
it would still be incorrect to be angry with them.
for this would be like begrudging fire for having the nature to burn. -- Chapter 6, verse 39.

Background:

Nine chapters of the Bodhicaryavatara was written by Acharya Shantideva in the 6th Century, with the tenth chapter added by his namesake Shantideva two centuries later.

In response to lawlessness and repeated foreign invasion by Turks, the latter Shantideva went on to found a Buddhist kingdom in southeastern Bangladesh which lasted four generations.

The Bodhicaryavatara was translated into Tibetan, and served as an important guide to Buddhist practice within the Vajrayana tradition in Tibet.

This work details the discipline, both moral and spiritual, which a monk dedicated to becoming a bodhisattva must undertake.


Commentary:
It is pointless to be angry with childish people who hurt other people, whether through word or deed. Indeed, the wise person works on controlling her mind so that neither anger nor fear gets the better of her.

Reference:

Buddhist Studies: Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd59.htm

Introduction to the Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.kagyu-asia.com/t_bodhicaryavatara.html

Bodhicaryavatara: http://metaxu.to/buddhism/texts/bodhicaryavatara.html

Shantideva: http://www.shantideva.net/

The Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.bodhicitta.net/HHDL%20Bodicaryavatara%20Teachings.htm