The poor ego has a still harder time of it; it has to serve three harsh masters, and it has to do its best to reconcile the claims and demands of all three... The three tyrants are the external world, the superego, and the id.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The ego serves three masters: external world, superego, and id.
- In plain terms
- The ego tries to balance reality, morals, and desires.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance desires, morals, and reality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which master controls you most?
- How do you balance them?
Another view
The model simplifies complex human psychology.
More from Sigmund Freud
One might compare the relation of the ego to the id with that between a rider and his horse. The horse provides the locomotor energy, and the rider has the pre…
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Permalink to quote #26
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