172. Venerable Sona, meditating in solitude, thought to himself: “The Lord’s disciples live in energy and I am one of them, and yet my mind is not detached and free from the defilements. My family is rich so I am going to give up the training, return to the household life, enjoy riches and do good works.” Now, the Lord read Sona’s mind, and as easily as a strong man might stretch out his arm, he appeared in front of Sona and said: “What do you think, Sona? In the past when you were at home, were you not accomplished in the lute's music?”
“Yes, I was, Lord.”
“And when the strings were too tight, was the lute melodious and playable?”
“No, Lord.”
“When the strings were too loose, was it melodious and playable?”
“No, Lord.”
“When the strings were neither too tight nor too loose, but tuned to the middle pitch, was the lute then melodious and playable?”
“Yes, Lord it was.”
“Even so, Sona, when effort is too strong it ends in agitation, and when too lax it ends in idleness. Therefore, balance your faculties and then you will attain that which is of true value.”
A.III,374 (AN 6.55)
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