STRONGEST BOND

That's not a strong bond
--so say the enlightened--
the one made of iron, of wood, or of grass.
To be smitten, enthralled,
with jewels & ornaments,
longing for children & wives:
that's the strong bond,
--so say the enlightened--
one that's constraining,
elastic,
hard to untie.
But having cut it, they
--the enlightened--go forth,
free of longing, abandoning
sensual ease.

-Dhammapada, 24, translated by Thainssaro Bhikkhu.

Oct. 9 06