[78] "Even so, Sunakkhatta, that bhikkhu indeed practices restraint regarding the six sense bases (āyatana) of contact; [knowing that] attachment (upadhi) is the root of suffering (dukkha) … that is not possible.
"Suppose, Sunakkhatta, there were a viper of virulent poison. Then a man might come along, wishing to live, not wishing to die, desiring happiness, recoiling from suffering. What do you think, Sunakkhatta — would that man give his hand or his thumb to that viper of virulent poison, knowing: 'Bitten by this, I shall meet with death or deadly suffering'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.