[668] He was dwelling at Sāvatthī. … "Bhikkhus, suppose there were a sharp-bladed spear, and a man were to come along, thinking: 'With my hand or with my fist I shall bend back, crumple up, and roll up this sharp-bladed spear.' What do you think, bhikkhus—would that man be able to bend back, to crumple up, or to roll up that sharp-bladed spear with his hand or with his fist?"
"Surely not, venerable sir."
"For what reason?"
"Because, venerable sir, that sharp-bladed spear is not easy to bend back, to crumple up, or to roll up with the hand or with the fist; and that man would only reap his share of weariness and vexation."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.