I like this small piece of wisdom very much and wanted to share it.
Happy Monday!
Original source:
A young boy came to his Grandfather, filled with anger at
another boy who had done him an injustice.
The old Grandfather said to his grandson, “Let me tell you a
story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that
have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate
wears you down, and hate does not hurt your enemy. Hate is
like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have
struggled with these feelings many times.”
“It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one wolf is good and
does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does
not take offence when no offence was intended. He will only
fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. But the
other wolf, is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a
fit of temper.”
“He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot
think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless
anger, because his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is
hard to live with these two wolves inside me, because both of
the wolves try to dominate my spirit.”
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked,
“Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”
The Grandfather smiled and said, “The one I feed.”
Twenty-Four
He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
He who strides cannot maintain the pace.
He who makes a show is not enlightened.
He who is self-righteous is not respected.
He who boasts achieves nothing.
He who brags will not endure.
According to followers of the Tao,
“These are unnecessary food and luggage.”
They do not bring happiness.
Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
Translation by Ray Burgess