Few and Many

Few and Many


"Riches destroy the Foolish

But NOT those who seek the other shore (i.e. Nibbana)."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 355



As he was sitting to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said to The Blessed One:

"Just now, Lord, while I was alone in seclusion,

This train of thought arose in my awareness:

'Few are those people in the world who, when acquiring lavish wealth,

Don't become intoxicated & heedless,

Don't become greedy for sensual pleasures,

And don't mistreat other beings.

Many more are those who, when acquiring lavish wealth,

Become intoxicated & heedless,

Become greedy for sensual pleasures,

And mistreat other beings.'"


"That's the way it is, great king! That's the way it is!

Few are those people in the world who, when acquiring lavish wealth,

Don't become intoxicated & heedless,

Don't become greedy for sensual pleasures,

And don't mistreat other beings.

Many more are those who, when acquiring lavish wealth,

Become intoxicated & heedless,

Become greedy for sensual pleasures,

And mistreat other beings."


That is what The Blessed One said.


Having said that, The One Well-Gone, The Teacher, said further:

"Impassioned with sensual possessions,

Greedy, dazed by sensual pleasures,

They DON'T awaken to the fact

That they've gone too far —

Like deer into a trap laid out.

Afterwards it's BITTER for them:

Evil for them the result."

— SN 3.6

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 3.6




"Hard is the life of a modest one

Who ever seeks Purity,

Is Detached, Humble, Clean in life,

And Reflective."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 245