Wolves Inside Us

“Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between the two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?' The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed!'