When a hunter sets out food for bait, it is not so that the deer may enjoy long, healthy lives. He does so to lure them, thereby causing them to grow careless and fall into his hands. There are four types of deer who react to the bait.
The first type are those deer who, immediately fooled by the bait, grow careless and so fall into the hunter's hands.
The second type are those who, having observed the first group, stay away from the bait and hide in the forest. But eventually, they grow hungry and because of weakening resolve, they return to the bait, grow careless, and are caught by the hunter.
The third type are those who, having observed the deer before, are cautious. They build shelters around the bait and eat the bait but avoid growing careless. But the hunter builds another trap around the first, and eventually the deer fall into the hands of the hunter.
The fourth type are those who, having observed the deer before, build shelters far from the bait. These refrain from depending on others and avoid falling into carelessness. The hunter can do nothing but give up and let these deer have their freedom; they are beyond the power of the hunter.
To build a refuge out of reach of the hunter is to separate oneself from desire and cultivate mindfulness, thus controlling one's heart and strengthening one's resolve.
-Majjhima-nikaya Nivapa-sutra
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