What does the term river stage mean? Water science questions and answers, from the USGS Water Science School
According to Sigmund Freud, the ego is part of personality that mediates the demands of the id, the superego and reality. The ego prevents us from acting on our basic urges (created by the id), but also works to achieve a balance with our moral and idealistic standards (created by the superego).
The ego has no concept of right or wrong; something is good simply if it achieves its end of satisfying without causing harm to itself or the id. Often the ego is weak relative to the headstrong id, and the best the ego can do is stay on, pointing the id in the right direction and claiming some credit at the end as if the action were its own. Freud made the analogy of the id being a horse while the ego is the rider.