The Buddha uses a simile of a thunderbolt to explain how acquisitions, respect, and popularity are harsh, bitter, and severe, obstructing the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.
Asani sutta - Thunderbolt
At Sāvatthi.
"Bhikkhus, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are harsh, bitter, and severe; they obstruct the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.
Whom should a thunderbolt strike, bhikkhus? A trainee upon whom acquisitions, respect, and popularity come while his mind has not yet reached the goal.
Bhikkhus, the term 'Thunderbolt' is a designation for acquisitions, respect, and popularity.
Thus, bhikkhus, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are harsh, bitter, and severe; they obstruct the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.
Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: 'We will abandon the arisen acquisitions, respect and popularity, and we will not let the arisen acquisitions, respect, and popularity continue to occupy our minds.' Thus, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves."