[473] When this was said, a certain bhikkhu addressed the Blessed One thus: "But is it possible, venerable sir, to give a simile?" "It is possible, bhikkhu," the Blessed One said. "Bhikkhus, suppose they were to seize a bandit, a criminal, and present him to the king, saying: 'This, Your Majesty, is a bandit, a criminal for you; impose upon him whatever punishment you wish.' The king would say thus: 'Go, sirs, and strike this man in the morning with a hundred spears.' And they would strike him in the morning with a hundred spears. Then at midday the king would say thus: 'Look here, how is that man?' 'He is still alive, Your Majesty.' The king would say thus: 'Go, sirs, and strike that man at midday with a hundred spears.' And they would strike him at midday with a hundred spears. Then in the evening the king would say thus: 'Look here, how is that man?' 'He is still alive, Your Majesty.' The king would say thus: 'Go, sirs, and strike that man in the evening with a hundred spears.' And they would strike him in the evening with a hundred spears. What do you think, bhikkhus? Would that man, being struck with three hundred spears, experience suffering (dukkha) and grief on that account?"
"Venerable sir, being struck with even a single spear, that man would experience suffering and grief on that account—what need is there to speak of three hundred spears?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.