Monday, 26 October 2026
Whoever is master over what you desire or fear is your master. Do you want to be free? Then desire and fear nothing that lies with others — otherwise you must serve.
Enchiridion, 14
The Bare Patch
Whoever is master over what you desire or fear is your master. Do you want to be free? Then desire and fear nothing that lies with others — otherwise you must serve.
A thin wolf met a strong, well-fed dog. He admired the dog's looks. He could live like that too, said the dog. He only had to come along. His work would be easy: drive off strangers and beggars, flatter the household, please the master. In return there would be chicken and pigeon bones, scraps of every kind, and plenty of petting besides.
The wolf went along. The mere thought of these meals almost moved him to tears.
On the way he noticed a bare patch on the dog's neck. What was that? Nothing, said the dog. Perhaps it came from the collar they tied him up by.
Couldn't he run wherever he wanted, then?
Not always. But what did that matter?
The wolf no longer wanted any of the promised meals. He ran off.
