Dhamma Verses (Dhammapada, KN 2)

25: The Chapter about Craving – 291
The real bondage
Some monks while on almsround saw various criminals in the
prison house where they were bound with ropes and chains;
they reported it to the Buddha who explained that these bonds
are paltry compared to the bonds of craving, and he taught
them further with these verses.
345-346. Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanam-āhu dhīrā,
yad-āyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañ-ca,
sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu
puttesu dāresu ca yā apekhā –
etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanam-āhu dhīrā,
ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ, duppamuñcaṁ,
etam-pi chetvāna paribbajanti
anapekkhino, kāmasukhaṁ pahāya.
That bondage is not so strong say the wise,
that is made of iron or wood or reeds,
impassioned and excited they seek out
jewels and earrings and children and wives –
that bondage is really strong say the wise,
dragging down the lax, hard to get free from,
having cut this down they wander about,
seeking nothing, abandoning pleasure.