The Buddha Speaks

“I went in search of enjoyment in the world, O monks. What there is of enjoyment in the world, that I have found; and in how far there is enjoyment in the world, that I have clearly seen by wisdom.

I went in search of misery in the world. O monks. What there is of misery in the world, that I have found; and in how far there is misery in the world, that I have clearly seen by wisdom.

I went in search of an escape from the world, O monks. That escape from the world I have found; and in how far there is an escape from the world, that I have clearly seen by wisdom.

“If O monks, there were no enjoyment in the world, beings would not become attached to the world. But as there is enjoyment in the world, being become attached to it.

If there were no misery in the world, beings would not be disgusted with the world. But as there is misery in  the world, beings become disgusted with it.

If there were no escape from the world, being could not make their escape from the world. But as there is an escape from the world, beings can escape from it.”

Anguttara Nikaya. Book of the Three, Suttas 101, 102