A deity engages the Buddha in verse on desire, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.78 Desire

“Kimatthakāmo na dade,
kiṁ macco na pariccaje;
Kiṁsu muñceyya kalyāṇaṁ,
pāpikaṁ na ca mocaye”ti.

“Attānaṁ na dade poso,
attānaṁ na pariccaje;
Vācaṁ muñceyya kalyāṇaṁ,
pāpikañca na mocaye”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kimatthakāmo na dade,

“What should one who wants what’s best not give away?

kiṁ macco na pariccaje;

What should a mortal not forsake?

Kiṁsu muñceyya kalyāṇaṁ,

What should be released when it’s good,

pāpikaṁ na ca mocaye”ti.

but not when it’s bad?”

“Attānaṁ na dade poso,

“A man shouldn’t give away himself.

attānaṁ na pariccaje;

He shouldn’t forsake himself.

Vācaṁ muñceyya kalyāṇaṁ,

Speech should be released when it’s good,

pāpikañca na mocaye”ti.

but not when it’s bad.”