Suppose a strong man was to twist a strong horse-hair rope around your shin and tighten it. It would cut through the outer skin, the inner skin, the flesh, sinews, and bones, until it reached the marrow and kept pressing. In the same way, possessions, honor, and popularity cut through the outer skin, the inner skin, the flesh, sinews, and bones, until they reach the marrow and keep pressing. So grim are possessions, honor, and popularity. …”
Linked Discourses 17.30 Chapter Three A Mendicant With Defilements Ended
At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, possessions, honor, and popularity are an obstacle even for a mendicant who is perfected, with defilements ended.” When he said this, Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha, “Sir, what do possessions, honor, and popularity obstruct for a mendicant with defilements ended?” “Ānanda, I don’t say that possessions, honor, and popularity obstruct the unshakable freedom of heart. But I do say that possessions, honor, and popularity obstruct the achievement of blissful meditations in this life for a meditator who is diligent, keen, and resolute. So grim are possessions, honor, and popularity—bitter and harsh, an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. So you should train like this: ‘We will give up arisen possessions, honor, and popularity, and we won’t let them occupy our minds.’ That’s how you should train.”