The Buddha uses different similes to explain how acquisitions, respect, and popularity are harsh, bitter, and severe, obstructing the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.

Suvaṇṇanikkha suttādiaṭṭhaka - Beginning With Gold Coin

At Sāvatthi.

17.13

"Here, bhikkhus, I know of a certain person by directly knowing their mind with my mind in this way: 'This venerable one would not, even for the sake of a gold coin, intentionally speak a deliberate lie.'

17.14

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for a hundred gold coins.'

17.15

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for the sake of an ornamental gold coin.'

17.16

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for a hundred ornamental gold coins.'

17.17

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for the sake of the whole earth filled with gold.'

17.18

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie for the sake of a small worldly benefit.'

17.19

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for the sake of their own life.'

17.20

'Nor would they speak a deliberate lie even for the sake of a country's most beautiful woman.' I see that person at a later time, overwhelmed by acquisitions, respect, and popularity, with a mind consumed by them, speaking a deliberate lie."

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."