At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, suppose a man was to draw up two or three drops of water from the ocean. What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the ocean?”

“Sir, the water in the ocean is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny. Compared to the water in the ocean, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.” “In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”

Linked Discourses 13.8 1. Comprehension The Ocean (2nd)

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, suppose the water in the ocean dried up and evaporated except two or three drops. What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated, or the two or three drops left?”