The Body as a Little City and the Two Inclinations

"And Judah drew near unto him..." (Genesis 44:18). This is what Scripture says: "There was a little city, and few men within it..." (Ecclesiastes 9:14). "And there was found in it a poor (and wise) [wise] man..." (Ecclesiastes 9:15). What is the meaning? This verse is stated concerning all the generations. "A little city" — this is the body. "And few men within it" — these are the two hundred and forty-eight limbs [that are in a person]. "And there came against it a great king" (Ecclesiastes 9:14) — this is the evil inclination, which is greater than the good inclination by thirteen years and one day. And the evil inclination says: Let us eat and drink, and fulfill all our desires; but the good inclination says: Let us not eat and not drink, but rather let us occupy ourselves with Torah. And they listen to the evil inclination — why? Because it is greater than them all. "And built against it great siege-works" (Ecclesiastes 9:14) — these are iniquities and sins. "And there was found in it a poor and wise man" — this is the good inclination, "and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no one remembered that poor man" (Ecclesiastes 9:15) — for they do not listen to the good inclination, because it is small. And whoever listens to the good inclination, happy is he, as it is said: "Happy is the one who considers the poor..." (Psalms 41:2).