SN 56.71 Pānātipāta Sutta: Killing beings

One day the Buddha, putting a little bit of dirt on his fingernail, asked the monks: “What do you think, monks? Which is more: the little bit of dirt on my fingernail, or this great Earth?”

“Bhante, the great Earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt on your fingernail is tiny. Compared to the great earth, it can’t be reckoned or compared; it’s not even a fraction.”

“Monks, in the same way, the beings who refrain from killing beings are few, while those who don’t refrain from killing beings are many. Why is that? It’s because they haven’t seen the Four Noble Truths. What four? The Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

“Therefore, monks, you should make an effort to understand: ‘This is suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the origin of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the end of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the path that leads to the end of suffering.’”

SN 56.72 Adinnādāna Sutta: Stealing

“… the beings who refrain from stealing are few, while those who don’t refrain from stealing are many. …”

SN 56.73 Kāmesumiccācāra Sutta: Sexual Misconduct

“… the beings who refrain from sexual misconduct are few, while those who don’t refrain from sexual misconduct are many. …”

SN 56.74 Musāvāda Sutta: Lying

“… the beings who refrain from lying are few, while those who don’t refrain from lying are many. …”

SN 56.75 Pisunāvācā Sutta: Divisive Speech

“… the beings who refrain from divisive speech are few, while those who don’t refrain from divisive speech are many. …”

SN 56.76 Pharusāvācā Sutta: Harsh Speech

“… the beings who refrain from harsh speech are few, while those who don’t refrain from harsh speech are many. …”

SN 56.77 Samphappalāpa Sutta: Idle Chatter

“… the beings who refrain from talking idle chatter are few, while those who don’t refrain from talking idle chatter are many. …”

SN 56.78 Bījagāma Sutta: Plants and Seeds

“… the beings who refrain from injuring plants and seeds are few, while those who don’t refrain from injuring plants and seeds are many. …”

SN 56.79 Vikālabhojana Sutta: Taking Food at Improper Times

“… the sentient beings who refrain from taking food at improper times are few, while those who don’t refrain from taking food at improper times are many. …”

SN 56.80 Vilepana Sutta: Beautifying

“… the beings who refrain from beautifying and adorning themselves with garlands, perfumes, and makeup are few, while those who don’t refrain from beautifying are many …”