Story 19

I asked a wise man the meaning of this saying: 'Your worst enemy is the self that lives within you.' He said: because any enemy you treat with kindness becomes a friend, except the self; the more gently you handle it, the more it turns against you. A person becomes angel-natured by eating little; but eat like the beasts, and you sink to a lifeless stone. Grant anyone's wish and they obey your command, unlike the self, which only orders you around once its wish is met.