EXOD978 R. Simeon b. El'azar said: Do not [seek to] pacify your fellow in his hour of anger… (Pirkei Avot, Perek IV, mishnah 23). Whence do you learn this?--From Moses: At the time that the Israelites made the [golden] calf, the Holy, Blessed One grew enraged [so to speak], and He bade Moses, "Go, descend, for your people has acted corruptly" [this verse]. Said Moses, "This is an hour of anger; I have no need to speak now." What did he do? At once "Moses turned and went down from the mountain (Exodus 32:15); he strode to the Israelites and passed judgment on them.… Then Moses came before the Holy One and said, "Master of the world, what is there for Thee to apply to them? the quality of stern justice? I have already meted out justice to them for Thee. Then forgive them." He replied, "Because you have waited, I have forgiven in accordance with your words."