It is written, “A man’s own folly perverts his way, and he casts his grudge upon God” (Proverbs 19:3).

This speaks of one who does not bind himself to a true tzaddik. Such a person may appear to serve God, but all his devotion is like the contortions one uses when trying to mimic another. He is like an ape trying to mimic a man.¹⁸⁵ II, 148b; Likutey Moharan I, 64:6; ibid., II, 15.

footnotes: ¹⁸⁵ Cf. Zohar

“A man’s own folly perverts his way”: Because of his folly, all his devotion “perverts his way.” He perverts and contorts himself, in imitating others.

The reason is because “he casts his grudge upon God.” The Talmud teaches that God asks, “Who rules over Me?” and answers that it is the tzaddik (Moed Katan 16b; Shabbat 63a).

“He casts his grudge upon God”: The tzaddik is “upon God,” for he can even rule over God. “He casts his grudge” upon the tzaddik, the one who is “upon God.” He is hostile and does not draw near to the tzaddik. Therefore, he “perverts his way” and contorts himself in a vain attempt at true devotion.

What he does not know is that true devotion is impossible except through a true tzaddik (see “His Wisdom” #296; Likutey Moharan I, 2:6, 9:4).