<p><strong>Quicksand similes / references</strong></p>

<p>Following are the only <a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=Quicksand" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2 Quicksand</a> references as per SC.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Attaining true liberation /
  ​is just like this:
  once rid of afflictions, /
  ​the quicksand of desires,
  no one knows /
  ​whither he went.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><a href="https://suttacentral.net/en/sa-2.15" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dabba enters Nirvāṇa</a></li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>And</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>“Like as a strong man lends a helping hand
  To weaker, sunk in mire or in quicksand:
  So, Queen Pancati, thou hast saved me here,
  With verses sung so sweetly in mine ear.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/en/ja509" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hatthi-Pala Jātaka</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-01T10:14:10.347Z
2017-07-01T11:14:30.583Z
2017-07-01T11:14:30.583Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>I am looking for that very specific sutta in the Pâli Canons wherein it is made plain that such a one not having himself attained to liberation, is not qualified to liberate other. The simile, I think, is about being mired in quicksands...</p>

<p>Thank you for your kind attention, your help is very much appreciated.</p>

<reference-request><pali-canon><sutras>
Quicksands Simile?
# Quicksands Simile?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-01)

I am looking for that very specific sutta in the Pâli Canons wherein it is made plain that such a one not having himself attained to liberation, is not qualified to liberate other. The simile, I think, is about being mired in quicksands...

Thank you for your kind attention, your help is very much appreciated.

**Tags:** reference-request, pali-canon, sutras


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-07-01. Score: 0

**Quicksand similes / references**

Following are the only [2 Quicksand](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=Quicksand) references as per SC.

> Attaining true liberation /
> ​is just like this:
> once rid of afflictions, /
> ​the quicksand of desires,
> no one knows /
> ​whither he went.
>
> * [Dabba enters Nirvāṇa](https://suttacentral.net/en/sa-2.15)

And

> “Like as a strong man lends a helping hand
> To weaker, sunk in mire or in quicksand:
> So, Queen Pancati, thou hast saved me here,
> With verses sung so sweetly in mine ear.”

[Hatthi-Pala Jātaka](https://suttacentral.net/en/ja509)


---

