At Sāvatthi.
"Bhikkhus, possessions, respect, and popularity are painful, severe, and obstructive to the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from the yoke (freedom from bondage).
Just as, bhikkhus, a fisherman would throw a baited hook into a deep pool of water. A certain fish, with eyes only for the bait, would swallow it. Indeed, bhikkhus, that fish swallowing the hook has fallen into disaster and calamity and is to be dealt with as the fisherman wishes.
Bhikkhus, the term 'fisherman' is a designation for Māra the evil one. The term 'hook' is a designation for possessions, respect, and popularity. Any bhikkhu who relishes and longs for arisen possessions, respect, and popularity is called a bhikkhu who swallows the hook, who has fallen into disaster and calamity, and is to be dealt with as Māra the evil one wishes.
Thus, bhikkhus, possessions, respect, and popularity are painful, severe, and obstructive to the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from the yoke.
Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: 'We will abandon arisen possessions, respect, and popularity, and arisen possessions, respect, and popularity will not occupy our minds.' Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train yourselves."
Related Teachings:
Acquire a possession which is permanent (from MN 22) - The Buddha shares to the bhikkhus that they could acquire a possession which is permanent, stable, of unchanging nature; or they could hold on to a self-view that doesn't cause any sorrow, displeasure and despair when holding on it.
Steadying the mind against the poisons of greed, hate and delusion (AN 4.117) - The Buddha's teachings when practiced become a support for the mind, allowing it to remain steady in situations that once used to shake it up.
