“Suppose an innocent baby boy lying on his back were, because of the carelessness of his nurse, to put a stick or a stone into his mouth. His nurse would immediately do something to remove it. And if she could not get it out immediately, she would hold the child’s head with her left hand, and with the finger of her right hand, get it out even if she had to draw blood.
And why? Because such a thing is a danger to the child, by no means harmless. Also, the nurse would do such a thing out of love for the child’s benefit, out of kindness and compassion.
But when that boy is older and more wise, then the nurse no longer needs look after him, thinking: ‘The boy can look after himself, he is done with foolishness.’
In the same way, if, due to lack of faith, self-respect, fear of blame, energy and wisdom, good things are not practised by one, then one must be watched over by me. But when good things are practiced, then I need not look after one, thinking: ‘He can now look after himself, he is done with foolishness.’”
- Anguttara Nikaya
