This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

"Bhikkhus, this is the extreme of livelihoods, namely, subsisting on alms. In this world, it is considered a curse: 'You wander about with bowl in hand!' Yet, grounded on good purpose, this is what sensible sons of good family engage in — not because authorities force them, nor because thieves drive them out, nor because they are debt-ridden, afflicted with fear, or have difficulty earning a living. Rather, they do so because they are afflicted by birth, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair — overwhelmed by suffering, consumed by suffering. They hope that, perhaps the complete ending of this entire mass of suffering could be discerned. In this way, the son of a good family renounces.

But even so, such a bhikkhu may still have intense craving, filled with intense lust for sensual pleasures, and harboring ill-will with a malicious mind. He may be muddle-minded, lacking clear awareness, distracted, with a wandering mind and with unrestrained faculties. Just as a charred log, burnt at both ends and smeared with filth in the middle, is of no use either in the village or the forest; so too, bhikkhus, I say, is such a person: deprived of the enjoyment of a lay person, yet unable to fulfill the goal of renunciation."

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

"Deprived of the enjoyment of a lay person, and failing to fulfill the goal of renunciation; Falling apart, he scatters around, like a charred log, he comes to naught.

Many who wear the ochre robe, are unrestrained and evil-natured; By performing harmful actions, the evil-doer re-arises in hell.

Better to swallow a red-hot iron ball, burning like a blazing flame; Than for an unprincipled and unrestrained person, to consume the community's alms food."

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.