9.
The Discourse on a Rope
178.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Severe, monks, is material gain, honour and fame.
Material gain, honour and fame, monks, cuts the skin, having cut the skin it cuts the hide, having cut the hide it cuts the flesh, having cut the flesh it cuts the sinews, having cut the sinews it cuts the bones, having cut the bones it remains having reached the bone marrow."
"Just as, monks, a powerful man, having wrapped the calf of the leg with a strong horse-hair rope, might rub it. It would cut the skin, having cut the skin it would cut the hide, having cut the hide it would cut the flesh, having cut the flesh it would cut the sinews, having cut the sinews it would cut the bones, having cut the bones it would remain having reached the bone marrow. So too, monks, material gain, honour and fame cuts the skin, having cut the skin it cuts the hide, having cut the hide it cuts the flesh, having cut the flesh it cuts the sinews, having cut the sinews it cuts the bones, having cut the bones it remains having reached the bone marrow. Thus severe, monks, is material gain, honour and fame, etc. thus indeed, monks, should you train." The ninth.