“Well then, chieftain, I shall give you a simile. For by means of a simile some sensible people understand the meaning of what is said.

Once upon a time, two gamblers were playing with dice. One gambler, every time they made a bad throw, swallowed the dice.

The second gambler saw him, and said, ‘Well, my friend, you’ve won it all! Give me the dice, I will offer them as sacrifice.’

‘Yes, my friend,’ the gambler replied, and gave them.

Having soaked the dice in poison, the gambler said to the other, ‘Come, my friend, let’s play dice.’

‘Yes, my friend,’ the other gambler replied.

And for a second time the gamblers played with dice. And for the second time, every time they made a bad throw, that gambler swallowed the dice.

The second gambler saw him, and said,

‘The man swallows the dice without realizing
they’re smeared with burning poison.
Swallow, you bloody cheat, swallow!
Soon you’ll know the bitter fruit!’

In the same way, chieftain, you seem like the gambler in the simile. Let go of this harmful misconception, chieftain, let go of it! Don’t create lasting harm and suffering for yourself!”

“Even though Master Kassapa says this, still I’m not able to let go of that harmful misconception. King Pasenadi of Kosala knows my views, and so do foreign kings. I shall carry on with this view out of anger, contempt, and spite!”