Never make a decision when you are upset, sad, jealous or in

The words of Mario Teguh, “Never make a decision when you are upset, sad, jealous or in love,” carry the quiet authority of a sage who has seen many hearts rise and fall under the weight of emotion. Though simple in phrasing, this teaching is one of the oldest and most profound truths known to humankind: emotion clouds judgment, and choices made in the storm often destroy what calm might have saved. The ancients would have called it the art of self-mastery — the discipline to pause, to breathe, and to let the tide of feeling recede before taking action. For in the realm of decision, reason is the compass, but emotion is the sea; if one steers too soon, even the strongest vessel will drift astray.

To be upset is to be blinded by pain. When anger burns within, it narrows vision and magnifies wrongs until all the world appears as an enemy. Many have ruined their peace by speaking or acting in such a moment, only to find regret waiting in the ashes of rage. The wise of old knew this well — even Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor, wrote that the first victory of a ruler is the victory over himself. He warned that anger is like fire: it may begin as warmth, but if left unchecked, it consumes. To decide while angry is to hand your destiny to the flames.

Likewise, sadness can deceive the mind by whispering despair. When one is sorrowful, the world seems smaller, darker, and unkind. In such a state, one may give up treasures that were meant to be kept, or abandon dreams that were still alive. Consider the story of Abraham Lincoln, who endured deep melancholy throughout his life. He once said that he would not trust his own judgment during the black hours of grief, and so he would wait until clarity returned. His patience in sorrow gave him the strength to lead a wounded nation. From this we learn: sadness is not the enemy, but a fog — and one must never choose a road when sight is lost.

Jealousy, too, poisons wisdom. It distorts truth and breeds illusions, making friends seem foes and blessings seem burdens. It is the emotion that dethroned kings and shattered empires. The tale of King Saul and David stands as a warning for all ages. Saul, once noble, allowed jealousy to rule his heart when he heard the songs of David’s victories. In envy, he lost his peace, his reason, and finally his crown. Mario Teguh’s words remind us that the jealous heart cannot choose rightly, for it no longer seeks truth — it seeks comparison, which is the path of ruin. One must first cleanse the heart before making any choice that affects others, lest envy corrupt it.

Even love, the gentlest of feelings, can become a veil that blinds judgment. When the heart burns too brightly, it can make illusions appear divine. The lover sees only what he wishes to see, and ignores the quiet warnings of reason. The story of Cleopatra and Antony is one of passion’s triumph and tragedy — their love, though powerful, led to their downfall because it silenced their wisdom. They did not act as rulers but as lovers; and thus, both love and empire were lost. True love, like true wisdom, requires balance — the ability to feel deeply but act with clarity. For love without reason is devotion without direction.

In all these, Mario Teguh teaches the same eternal principle: do not let the storm within decide the fate of your voyage. The soul must learn to separate feeling from judgment, just as a sculptor must wait for the marble’s dust to settle before seeing what he has shaped. To pause is not weakness; it is strength. To wait until calm returns is not hesitation; it is wisdom. Those who master this art gain dominion not only over their choices, but over themselves.

The lesson, then, is this: pause before you act when the heart is unsteady. In moments of strong emotion — whether sorrow, anger, jealousy, or passion — let time be your counsel. Breathe. Reflect. Sleep, if you must, before deciding. For decisions made in turmoil may satisfy the moment but betray the years to come. The wise know that clarity is not found in the fire of feeling, but in the stillness after it. To rule your emotions is to rule your destiny — and that is the highest mastery a human soul can attain.