A hungry man, an angry man.

The saying links hunger with anger, observing that an unmet basic need can make a person short-tempered, impatient, or more likely to react sharply than usual.

It also offers a practical warning: before judging someone’s temper or trying to settle a disagreement, consider whether hunger or physical discomfort is contributing. This observation may explain irritability, but it does not excuse aggression, mistreatment, or harmful conduct.

Use it when hunger seems to be making someone irritable, or when suggesting food or a pause before a tense conversation. The traditional wording uses “man” generically; speakers may choose more inclusive phrasing today. It is an observation, not a justification for harmful behavior.