“The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Cherokee Parable Good vs. Evil
“One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between 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.”
Author Unknown (possibly a Cherokee parable, and going back probably at least to the 1950's in print)
The Fight is Eternal by Dean Yeong
The first part of the story is telling us that we can never get rid of the first wolf; the first wolf will always be there. The fight between two wolves is eternal. Both wolves will always be there. This applies to our emotions, behaviors, habits, and every other aspect of our life.
Start Feeding the Right Wolf
One truth to remember is that it’s so much easier to feed the first wolf — the first wolf is there to encourage the easier options in life. It’s easier to complain, procrastinate, dismiss, ignore, and give up. There is almost no effort required to do those things, and you’re getting the reward with the sensation of relieving and instant gratification without much an action.
The second wolf is very different; it’s picky, it’s harder to feed. It’s challenging, tiring and time-consuming to do things like learning, teaching, inspiring, sharing or simply sticking to a new behavior. These things take so much energy, effort, momentum, and guts. And you don’t usually see immediate results from them.
Which wolf you choose to feed will define who you are, and we all know we should feed the second wolf — even if it’s harder. Feeding the second wolf is how we end up feeling a sense of accomplishment and success at the end of the day.
By conquering the temptation of the first wolf we opt for a much more challenging (but right) option in life.
Bible Verses
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 (NLT)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT)
Additional Reading
Good and Evil: Interpreting a Human Condition by Edward Farley
The Science of Good and Evil by Michael Shermer
Points of Reflection
“Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything.”
Frank Outlaw
“Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.”
Unknown