SN 1.13 There’s Nothing Like a Child

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Standing to one side, that deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Natthi puttasamaṁ pemaṁ,

“There’s no fondness like that for a child,

natthi gosamitaṁ dhanaṁ;

no wealth equal to cattle,

Natthi sūriyasamā ābhā,

no light like that of the sun,

samuddaparamā sarā”ti.

and of lakes the ocean is paramount.”

“Natthi attasamaṁ pemaṁ,

“There’s no fondness like that for oneself,

natthi dhaññasamaṁ dhanaṁ;

no wealth equal to grain,

Natthi paññāsamā ābhā,

no light like that of wisdom,

vuṭṭhi ve paramā sarā”ti.

and of waters the rain is paramount.”