Conscience Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most.”
About This Quote
Source Story: Native American parable, oral tradition, unknown date
The quote illustrates that our inner conflicts are shaped by what we nurture; the dominant traits are those we feed most often.
In simple terms: We become what we feed.
Key Takeaway
Feed the good within.
Themes
inner conflict
self‑mastery
morality
personal growth
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
parable
When to use this quote
- personal development
- conflict resolution
- mental health coaching
Key Concepts
dualism
psychology
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner "dog" do you feed most?
- How can you shift attention to the positive?
A Different Perspective
Feeding the negative side can reinforce harmful patterns.
