You may have heard the old story, usually attributed to a…
““You may have heard the old story, usually attributed to a Native American elder, meant to illuminate the power of attention. A grandfather (occasionally it’s a grandmother) imparting a life lesson to his grandson tells him, "I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is vengeful, fearful, envious, resentful, deceitful. The other wolf is loving, compassionate, generous, truthful, and serene." The grandson asks which wolf will win the fight. The grandfather answers, "The one I feed.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote illustrates that our inner emotional states are shaped by the attention we give them; nurturing positive qualities leads to compassionate outcomes.
In simple terms: Feeding positive traits creates a compassionate heart.
Key Takeaway
Choose to nurture love over fear.
Themes
mindfulness
emotional intelligence
inner conflict
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
parable
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- parenting
- conflict resolution
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
attention
choice
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner qualities do you feed daily?
- How can you shift attention to compassion?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting the negative wolf can still cause harm if not addressed.