The neurotic ego is the part of us that is caught in fear and in attachment to control and entitlement. It is the FACE — Fear, Attachment, Control, and Entitlement — that we show to feel safe. The ego does not know its first name, Fear, but loves its last name, Entitlement. The ego is the face we are trying to save in "saving face" and do not want to lose in "losing face."

This arrogant ego can be our way of disavowing our vulnerability to the conditions of existence: things change, nothing lasts, things are not always fair, pain is part of life, we are alone.

— David Richo, Shadow Dance