英文：

　　Once upon a time, there was a man who needed fire and cold water in caring out his household duties. he built a fire in his room. he filled a kettle with water and put it on the fire. afterwards, the fire went out and the cold water turned hot. he got neither fire nor cold water.

　　So are the people at large who, devoted to the attainment of buddhism, seek the enlightened way by becoming monks. but afterwards, they still keep ties to their wives, children and relatives; maintain their concern with the worldly affairs and their enjoyment of the five desires as well. for these reasons, they lose their meritorious blessings like the fire. they also break their commandments like the cold water.this is held to be true with greedy men.

　　古文：

　　昔有一人，事須火用，及以冷水，即便宿火，以澡盥盛水，置于火上。后欲取火，而火都滅；欲取冷水，而水復熱。火及冷水，二事俱失。

　　世間之人，亦復如是。入佛法中，出家求道。既得出家，還復念其妻子眷屬，世間之事，五欲之樂。由是之故，失其功德之火，持戒之水，念欲之人亦復如是。

　　譯文：

　　往昔有一人做事，需用火和冷水，就取來了火，以澡盥盛水，放在火上。后來想取火用，而火都滅了；要取冷水用，而水又燒熱了。火及冷水，兩樣東西都失卻了。

　　世上的人也是這般，歸依了佛法，出家求道，既已出家了，又回首懷念妻子、兒女、父母、眷屬，以及俗世的情事、財色名食睡這五欲的怡樂，因此而失卻了他原有的功德精進的火苗、持受戒律的清凈之水。念戀情欲的人，兩樣都失，也是這般。