法苑珠林 92.13

92.13

Furthermore, the Sūtra of a Hundred Parables states: In the past there was a merchant who lent half a coin to someone and for a long time could not get repaid. He then went to collect the debt. Ahead of him was a great river; he paid two coins to hire someone and only then could cross over. Arriving there to collect the debt, he could not get it after all. Returning and crossing the river, he paid two coins again. For the sake of a half-coin debt, he lost four coins, besides suffering the exhaustion of travel on the road: what was owed was very little, but what was lost was exceedingly great, so that he was indeed mocked and laughed at by everyone. Worldly people are also like this: seeking minor fame and gain, they end up destroying great conduct, merely seeking to accommodate themselves without regard for propriety and righteousness; they incur a bad reputation in the present, and later receive bitter retribution.