[579] Bhikkhus, suppose a strong man, having wrapped a tough horsehair rope (bāḷarajju) around one's shin, were to rub it back and forth: it would cut through the outer skin; having cut through the outer skin, it would cut through the inner skin; having cut through the inner skin, it would cut through the flesh; having cut through the flesh, it would cut through the sinew; having cut through the sinew, it would cut through the bone; having cut through the bone, it would remain pressing right against the marrow. Even so, bhikkhus, gain, honor, and fame (lābhasakkārasiloka) cut through the outer skin; having cut through the outer skin, they cut through the inner skin; having cut through the inner skin, they cut through the flesh; having cut through the flesh, they cut through the sinew; having cut through the sinew, they cut through the bone; having cut through the bone, they remain pressing right against the marrow. So dreadful, bhikkhus, are gain, honor, and fame … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train yourselves.
The ninth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.