Wormtongue

“this double-edged truth was a sledgehammer which could shatter the tough alcoholic’s ego at depth and lay him wide open to the grace of God.” (Language of the Heart)

In ‘The Lord of the Rings’, King Théoden comes under the influence of an evil, whispering advisor called Wormtongue. Under Wormtongue’s magical influence, he becomes decrepit, drugged, and paranoid. His friends he sees as enemies. Once the spell is broken, he realises the real enemy: Wormtongue.

Thus the ego turns me against others so I don’t realise it is the problem and put it out of a job.

Resentment and conflict are merely the ego’s defences against my discovery of its plan.