We all have a “dark side” lurking within us. It can control us in two ways: One is to make us do things which are bad, immoral, unethical or hurtful. The other way is to let us do good deeds – but to place in our minds ulterior motives which will lead to selfish, malevolent or unhealthy intentions.
Only you can allow your “dark side” to steal your positive energy and make you act in a way that has no spiritual merit or good purpose. Perform good deeds with your true essence – your soul, which is pure in thought and spirit. You have that ability.
Your dichotomy between light and dark is more stark than that of the rabbis. They saw some good in the evil inclination if under the control of the good inclination. Much as Freud would write that the id would be beneficial if under the control of the super-ego. In Chinese philosophy the dark and light ( yin and yang )
interpenitrate and are complementary.
The Persians tended to see good and evil as always at war-light vs. darkness: Zoroastrianism or Manichaeanism.
Interesting. Thanks.
I certainly agree with your thoughtful comments. My meaning was to not let the good inclination be under the control of the bad inclination.