A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

9: Gratefulness
Jā 72 Sīlavanāgarājajātakaṁ
Greed brings Dire Consequences
A forester, lost in the forest, is saved by the
Bodhisatta, a King of the Elephants. Later he
returns and asks for the Bodhisatta's tusks, which
he readily gives. But not satisfied he returns
again and demands the roots of the tusks. While
leaving the earth opens up and swallows him.
172. Akataññussa posassa niccaṁ vivaradassino,
Sabbañ-ce pathaviṁ dajjā, neva naṁ abhirādhaye.
The ungrateful man is always
On the look-out for an opening,
But even given the whole world,
He still wouldn't be satisfied.
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