Who Put the Yetzer Hara in Jail?

Rav Shmuel Abba and his brother Rav Pinchos were in jail when the warden came and explained the rule. Because their crime was so terrible, the sentence was harsh. Their cell would have no window, and they were forbidden any light whatsoever. Hearing that they would sit in a dank, dark cell with no light or air, Rav Shmuel Abba was deeply downcast.

His brother Rav Pinchos saw this and said to him, “Why does the Gemara call the yetzer hara a king and an old fool (Koheles 4:13, Rashi)? Is he not wise? Does he not make fools of others? The truth is that he is a fool. Look at us. We are imprisoned by decree of the Czar. But what is the yetzer hara doing here with us in this prison? Who put him in jail?”

Rav Shmuel Abba understood. His despondency was the work of the yetzer hara, not of the warden's words. The moment he realized this, his calm and good mood returned.