Hatthipālajātaka

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Jātaka (1) · Vol. 27 · Section 2250

[2250] Sensual pleasures (kāmā) are a bog, sensual pleasures are a quagmire — captivating the mind, hard to cross, the realm of Death (maccudheyya). Sunk in this bog, in this quagmire, beings of debased nature do not cross to the farther shore. In the past this one did a cruel deed (kamma); that same one, now caught, is indeed not set free by me. Confining him, I shall guard him closely, that this one may never again do a cruel deed.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.