2.
The Discourse on the Stingy
32.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then many deities of the Satullapa group, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side.
Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
By one desiring merit, a gift should be given by one who knows."
Then another deity spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One:
The hunger and thirst which the miser fears,
That very thing touches the fool, in this world and the next.
Merits are a support for beings in the world beyond."
Then another deity spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One:
Those who give from little, this is an eternal principle.
An offering given from little is measured equal to a thousand."
Then another deity spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One:
The bad do not imitate, the principle of the good is hard to follow.
The bad go to hell, the good are destined for heaven."
Then another deity said this in the presence of the Blessed One: "Whose statement, Blessed One, was well spoken?"
"All of yours was well spoken in a way; but listen to me too:
Supporting a wife, giving from little;
A hundred thousand who sacrifice a thousand,
Are not worth even a fraction of one such as that."
Then another deity addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Not worth what is given righteously?
How is it that a hundred thousand who sacrifice a thousand each,
Are not worth even a fraction of one such as that."
Having cut off, having killed, and having caused sorrow;
That offering, with tearful faces, with punishment,
Is not worth what is given righteously.
Are not worth even a fraction of one such as that."