6.
The Discourse on the Few
117.
At Sāvatthī.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One -
"Here, venerable sir, when I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind:
'Few are those beings in the world who, having obtained lofty and abundant wealth, do not become intoxicated, do not become negligent, do not commit to greed for sensual pleasures, and do not err against beings.
But there are indeed more beings in the world who, having obtained lofty and abundant wealth, become intoxicated, become negligent, commit to greed for sensual pleasures, and err against beings.'"
"So it is, great king, so it is, great king! Few are those beings in the world, great king, who, having obtained lofty and abundant wealth, do not become intoxicated, do not become negligent, do not commit to greed for sensual pleasures, and do not err against beings. But there are indeed more beings in the world who, having obtained lofty and abundant wealth, become intoxicated, become negligent, commit to greed for sensual pleasures, and err against beings." This he said, etc.
They do not understand the transgression, like deer the snare that is laid;
Afterwards for them it is bitter, for the result of it is evil."