In our lives and work, greed, hatred, and ignorance are apparent all the time and everywhere. As a beginning Mahayana Buddhism student, we are often unable to control our emotions, just like non-Buddhist people. The result is that not only are we prevented from influencing others toward enlightenment, but we also give Buddhism a bad reputation. Hatred in particular brings about the worst consequences: it destroys your roots of virtue and also gives others a bad impression about Buddhists, and even Buddhism itself.
~ Luminous Wisdom Book Series 10